Vadim Nemkov made a statement at PFL Lyon on Saturday, defeating Renan Ferreira via arm-triangle choke just 4 minutes into the first round to secure the league’s first heavyweight championship. Following the victory, Nemkov expressed interest in facing former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in a future bout.
Despite Ferreira’s height advantage and knockout reputation, Nemkov controlled the fight from the opening bell. He took Ferreira down quickly, landed steady ground-and-pound, and capitalized on an opening to secure the fight-ending submission.
ARM TRIANGLE IN THE FIRST ROUND!
Vadim Nemkov is now your #ANDNEW PFL Heavyweight World Champion! 🏆#PFLLyon | LDLC Arena, Lyon | 📺LIVE NOW on the ESPN app pic.twitter.com/cocO4pZ8CR
— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 13, 2025
“I’ll fight anybody the company wants me to, but I really want to fight Francis,” Nemkov said via Russian translator after the match.
I been ready for a long time 🤷🏾♂️
See you in soon… https://t.co/zxyVjFut1o
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) December 13, 2025
Ferreira, who had previously faced Ngannou in October 2024, struggled to match Nemkov’s wrestling and grappling skills. This was Ferreira’s first back-to-back loss in his 12-year career, and his first submission defeat since 2016.
Nemkov, now 19-2 with 1 no contest, previously held the Bellator light heavyweight title before moving up to heavyweight. His victories over Timothy Johnson and Bruno Cappelozza earned him the opportunity to compete for the heavyweight crown at PFL Lyon.
With this championship win, Nemkov is set on a high-profile matchup with Francis Ngannou. The former UFC champion, 39, vacated the UFC heavyweight belt in 2023 and joined the PFL, competing in both MMA and professional boxing since.
The Lyon event firmly establishes Nemkov as PFL’s top heavyweight contender and sets up a blockbuster potential showdown with Ngannou.
