Vadim Nemkov didn’t exactly have an easier night against Phil Davis in the pair’s rematch at Bellator 257 — but he did earn a more decisive victory.
After defeating “Mr. Wonderful” by split decision in a 2018 non-title affair, Nemkov, now Bellator’s light heavyweight champion, earned a unanimous decision in the rematch Friday. That victory not only serves as the first title defense of his reign, but moves him into the semifinals of Bellator’s light heavyweight grand prix.
Nemkov will face the winner of the upcoming Yoel Romero vs. Anthony Johnson fight, possibly in July.
The other semifinal, meanwhile, is set. With Corey Anderson picking up a TKO win Friday, he has punched his ticket to a date with former light heavyweight champ (and current heavyweight champion) Ryan Bader.
Full results and photo highlights from the event can be found below.
Bellator 257: Nemkov vs. Davis 2 Results:
Main Card
Vadim Nemkov (c) def. Phil Davis by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) – for the Bellator light heavyweight championship / light heavyweight grand prix quarterfinal
Corey Anderson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov by TKO, Round 3, 2:15 – light heavyweight grand prix quarterfinal
Veta Arteaga def. Desiree Yanez by majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Paul Daley def. Sabah Homasi by TKO, Round 2, 1:44
Preliminary card
Julia Budd def. Dayana Silva by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Julius Anglickas def. Gregory Milliard by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Steve Mowry def. Shaun Asher by TKO, Round 1, 0:55
Grachik Bozinyan def. Demarques Jackson by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Raymond Daniels def. Peter Stanonik by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
Lance Gibson Jr. def. Marcus Surin by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Karl Albrektsson def. Viktor Nemkov by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mads Burnell def. Saul Rogers by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:08
Jay Jay Wilson def. Pedro Carvalho by TKO, Round 2, 0:53
