Vadim Nemkov is set to defend his heavyweight crown this November atop PFL Dubai.
Nemkov (20-2, 1NC) will face Sergei Bilostenniy (15-4) to close out the show at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE on November 14, 2026.
Promotion officials recently announced the booking, which comes just over a month prior to the company rebranding as part of Jake Paul’s MVP (Most Valuable Promotions).
Nemkov, a former Bellator MMA light heavyweight champion, won the inaugural PFL heavyweight championship this past December, defeating Renan Ferreira. From August of 2020 to January 2024, the Russian reigned as 205lb champ in Bellator, defeating Ryan Bader to claim gold, and defending the belt against the likes of Phil Davis, Corey Anderson, and Yoel Romero.
In 2022, after an initial fight with Corey Anderson was ruled a No Contest, Nemkov would win the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix in a rematch.
Fellow Russian Bilostenniy is also a Bellator alum, and has posted a 4-1 record under the PFL banner, winning his last two fights. He also holds a victory over current UFC heavyweight Tyrell Fortune.
In addition to the PFL Dubai main event, league officials have announced a second heavyweight fight for the card. That will see #1-ranked Oleg Popov (23–2) return to the promotion to take on the unranked, but unbeaten Pouya Rahmani (6-0). Popov’s last fight came outside of the PFL; he’s won four straight dating back to May of 2025.
