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1 hour ago
Russian fighter Vadim Nemkov has re-signed with the PFL after talks with the UFC.
The 33-year-old former Bellator champion is unbeaten since 2016 and regarded as one of the best talents outside of the UFC.
But Nemkov said the UFC proposal was less than the PFL’s offer.
Despite unsuccessful talks, Nemkov does not rule out signing for the UFC once his current deal with the PFL ends, which would put him at the tail end of his career aged 35.
The UFC have a wealth of Russian talent in their divisions with Khamzat Chimaev the latest fighter to become champion.
Chimaev beat reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in a one-sided affair earlier this month to claim his first UFC belt.
The light-heavyweight champion is Russian Magomed Ankalaev while Islam Makhachev relinquished his lightweight belt to move up to fight welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.
Nemkov appeared a good option for the UFC to add to their heavyweight division with reigning champion Tom Aspinall having already beaten most of the top contenders in the weight class.
The former Bellator light-heavyweight champion had been a free agent since January.
PFL chairman Donn Davis announced Nemkov’s new deal on social media and listed several fighters the heavyweight could face including Francis Ngannou, Renan Ferreira and Oleg Popov.
Nemkov has averaged just one fight a year since 2023 and has 18 wins, two losses and one no-contest on his record.
Davis said the new deal will keep Nemkov at the PFL through to the end of 2027.
