Vadim Nemkov and Cris Cyborg will both be in action in Lyon, giving optimism to what the PFL will bring in 2026.
Following nearly a year of inaction, Vadim Nemkov returns at PFL Lyon with a new deal with the promotion, and it has many speculating about the plans the promotion has for the future. The most obvious: was he re-signed with the intention of creating a bout with the now enigmatic Francis Ngannou? The former Bellator light heavyweight champion rides a 13-fight win streak and his highlights go back even further to his days as part of RIZIN in Japan. If “The Predator” is going to be enticed to return by anyone on the PFL roster, it feels like Nemkov would be the top choice.
“I want to become the Heavyweight champion and defend it for a LONG TIME”
December 13th is about 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗖𝗬 for Vadim Nemkov as the PFL Heavyweight World Title is on the line against Renan Ferreira! #PFLLyon | Sat Dec 13th | LDLC Arena, Lyon | 📺LIVE on the ESPN app | 🎟️ ON… pic.twitter.com/TonLhnOH8W
— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 1, 2025
Of course, that is a big assumption. Opposing Nemkov is the 2023 heavyweight champion who has wreaked havoc in the promotion over the past several year: Renan Ferreira. “El Problema” hasn’t been seen since last year and the time away has undoubtedly fueled a desire to return to form when he returns to the cage. Despite Nemkov’s abilities on the feet, one expects a striker vs grappler matchup between two of the most destructive forces the promotion has to offer.
In the co-headliner, a living legend in Cris “Cyborg” Justino returns to mixed martial arts following speculation on whether or not she would step into the cage again. In her last MMA bout, she outlasted 2023 season champion Larissa Pacheco. In the eyes of many, the victory felt like the final feather to add to the cap of the Brazilian legend as far as mixed martial arts is concerned. To add to the speculation, Justino stopped three opponents in boxing earlier this year which had many wondering if she was angling for a big fight in the squared circle.
Instead, Justino returns to show she is still in top form as she grants undefeated underdog Sara Collins a chance to record a seminal victory in her career. A fellow Bellator veteran, Collins had two fights in the promotion including one that saw her defeat former title challenger Sinead Kavanagh. Collins has had one appearance since the acquisition and she made the most of it, stopping the more highly regarded Leah McCourt with a first round submission. That victory now sets up the Australian contender for her biggest career opportunity by a mile.
With not one but two titles on the line, the PFL closes out the year by setting up more potential matchups going into 2026 where it has already been announced that the promotion will have top talent back in action in the first quarter of the year.
