Ex-Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov to face Tim Johnson at PFL's Road to Dubai on Jan. 25

Vadim Nemkov will still compete after all later this month at PFL’s Road to Duabi Champions Series event.

Nemkov, who was scheduled to face Corey Anderson, now will take on heavyweight veteran Tim Johnson on Jan. 25 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Anderson announced the cancellation of their bout nearly a month ago, claiming Nemkov refused to fight him because he wanted an “easier fight.”

PFL did not announce a reason for the change. Bellator announced the news of the new matchup on Monday afternoon.

UPDATE: Vadim Nemkov now faces Tim Johnson at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday 25th January.

BE THERE! https://t.co/HZ3ZYOEyw7#RoadtoDubai | Sat Jan 25 | Coca-Cola Arena | Dubai, UAE pic.twitter.com/YsjhJSyKpo

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 6, 2025

Nemkov (17-2), former Bellator light heavywieght champion, is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak. He was most recently seen in action in February 2024 when he retured to the heavyweight divsion after many years competing at 205 pounds. In that return, he defeated PFL veteran Bruno Cappelozza by technical submission.

On the other hand, Johnson is looking to bounce back from a TKO loss to Denis Goltsov back in August. Prior to the defeat, the former UFC heavyweight was on a three-fight wininng streak that included two stoppages.