Francis Ngannou and Vadim Nemkov were a highly anticipated matchup that the PFL was considering before Russia’s notable victory at PFL Lyon. Vadim Nemkov, the former Bellator champion, secured the official PFL Heavyweight Championship by defeating 2023 tournament winner Renan Ferreira impressively in Lyon on Friday. Following this win, Nemkov has quickly become the leading candidate to face Ngannou next.
Ngannou, who used to hold the UFC heavyweight title, has not fought since his win over Ferreira in Saudi Arabia last October. The scarcity of high-level opponents in his division has limited his fight opportunities. However, PFL CEO John Martin confirmed in an interview with Bloody Elbow that discussions between Ngannou and the promotion are ongoing.
At PFL Lyon on Saturday, Nemkov earned a first-round submission victory against the large Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira, taking home the heavyweight crown. This result has introduced a compelling new contender for Ngannou’s potential MMA comeback. Nemkov had long been regarded as a strong possible opponent for Ngannou if the latter resolved certain challenges. A second fight between Nemkov and Ferreira seems unlikely after Ferreira’s first-round loss.
In fact, Ngannou himself hinted on social media that he is ready for a rematch, writing, “I’ve been ready for a long time. Let’s meet again…” on X (formerly Twitter). In a recent interview, PFL CEO John Martin expressed optimism about the match-up, saying discussions with Ngannou are ongoing, and they aim to create a special event for him. Martin highlighted that Ngannou is eager to fight and hopes it happens in 2026. They are carefully searching for a fitting opponent, aiming to engage fans with a meaningful bout.
Fan Take: This potential fight between Ngannou and Nemkov is exciting for fight fans because it could bring a blockbuster matchup that blends two elite heavyweight talents from different promotions. It signals a growing crossover appeal in MMA, which can elevate the sport’s global profile and offer fresh, high-stakes matchups outside the UFC cage.
