Vadim Nemkov announces move to heavyweight, says he'll likely vacate Bellator light heavyweight title

Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov turns course toward heavyweight.

Vadim Nemkov has long been considered one of the best light heavyweights in the world – and now he’s looking to add some more weight to his reputation.

With his mentor Fedor Emelianenko retired and out of the promotion’s heavyweight division, and the weight cuts to 205 pounds becoming more challenging, Nemkov (17-2 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) has finally made a big career decision.

After training camp’s worth of consideration, Nemkov has decided he will move to heavyweight for his next bout – and plans to likely vacate the Bellator light heavyweight title, which he currently holds.

“I spoke to Fedor when everything was happening the last couple of fights. We decided I’m moving up to heavyweight,” Nemkov told MMA Junkie on Wednesday through a Russian interpreter. “I’m getting older and every fight is getting harder for me to cut weight. Let’s say that before I felt comfortable when I was training at 103kg (227lbs). Now, I feel even more comfortable at 106-108kg (233-238lbs). When I train right now, it’s 103kg. I feel less strong and dangerous. It’s not the same as I am at 106-108kg.

“It’s a new challenge for me. I’ve done everything I can at light heavyweight. Now, it’s a new challenge to go up in weight and get another title. At 205, I don’t see anything new for me. It’s going to be rematches with the fighters I already fought. I’d keep going back to the fighters I already met. … Probably, I will vacate (the title). Yeah, I will vacate the belt and move to the heavyweight division.”

Nemkov, 31, is widely perceived as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters outside the UFC. He already holds wins over the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 promotion-ranked fighters at light heavyweight. He has not lost in 12 straight fights and holds a win over current Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader.

Although he won the first head-to-head meeting by TKO, Nemkov (17-2 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) wants another crack at Bader, given that Bader defeated Emelianenko and fellow training partner Valentin Moldavsky in the time since their original August 2020 clash. Bader (31-7 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) is set to fight Linton Vassell (24-8 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) at Bellator 300 on Oct. 7.

“I am definitely looking forward to seeing the Vassell fight with Bader,” Nemkov said. “Whoever wins, I’d definitely like to fight them. … Honestly, I fought Bader once, but Bader fought Fedor and Valentin Moldavksy as well. Bader looks completely different at heavyweight and he fights different. It would be interesting for me to fight him. But if Vassell is going to win, it’s going to be an interesting fight for me as well.”

Given the Bader vs. Vassell fight is two months away, Nemkov knows a fight vs. the winner could take a while to materialize. With that in mind, Nemkov is open to taking one non-title heavyweight fight beforehand.

“I understand one thing,” Nemkov said. “The fight is going to happen in October: Bader-Vassell. After this fight, the champ will have to rest a little bit. I know there is going to be some fights maybe in Japan. I would maybe take a warm-up fight because I don’t want to wait long for a fight.”

Bellator has yet to comment on Nemkov’s proposed plans.