Viktor Nemkov spent the better part of a decade fighting mostly for M-1 in Russia. However, for the Professional Fighters League’s 2019 season, Nemkov traveled west, earning three points in the opening round of the light heavyweight tournament. At PFL 6 2019 on Thursday in Atlantic City, he took on Rashid Yusupov, who also had three points to his name for the year.

The third to final bout at PFL 6 2019 saw Nemkov connect with a punch early that put Yusupov on his back, with Nemkov jumping on top. Yusupov would survive, but back on the feet, it was Nemkov firing off the harder shots. Still, Yusupov would not be deterred, walking down his opponent, who had his right hand cocked, ready to fire on a moment’s notice.

Starting out in the second, Nemkov was showing damage around the eye. That would get worse as the round progressed. Nemkov, however, would fight through it. And he kept it close enough to stay in it. The latter part of the fight had Nemkov on his back, Yusupov on top, working from guard. Nemkov at times used a closed guard, and looked for an opening for an upkick when his opponent backed off. Yusupov would wade back into guard as the final minute of the fight wore down, while Nemkov looked to make something hhappen from the bottom.

In the end, he did just enough to take it on two scorecards.

Viktor Nemkov def. Rashid Yusupov by unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

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The sixth and final show of the PFL 2019 regular season went down Thursday night at the Oceans Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Featuring the second fights for both light heavyweights and heavyweights, names like Satoshi Ishii and Kelvin Tiller would loom large at heavyweight. Vinny Magalhaes and Maxim Grishin were among the names at light heavyweight, meanwhile. And as an added bonus, the return of Umar Nurmagoemdov was also set, in a bantamweight clash with Sidemar Honorio. A cousin of UFC champ Khabib, the undefeated Umar is a hot prospect at the moment, with a 10-0 record.

PFL 6 2019 Results:

Main Card (ESPN+)

Heavyweight: Jared Rosholt def. Satoshi Ishii by unanimous decision decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Vinny Magalhaes def. Rashid Cleveland by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 1:56
Light Heavyweight: Viktor Nemkov def. Rashid Yusupov by unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Ali Isaev def. Carl Seumanutafa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Maxim Grishin def. Mikhail Mokhnatkin by knockout, Round 1, 0:48
Heavyweight: Muhammed DeReese def. Valdrin Istrefi by TKO, Round 1, 2:06
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov def. Sidemar Honorio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Francimar Barroso def. Ben Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card (ESPN2)

Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov def. Kelvin Tiller by submission (neck crack), Round 2, 3:40
Light Heavyweight: Emiliano Sordi def. Bozigit Ataev by knockout, Round 1, 1:22
Heavyweight: Alex Nicholson def. Zeke Tuinei-Wily by TKO, Round 1, 3:07
Light Heavyweight: Jordan Johnson def. Sigi Pesaleli by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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Viktor Nemkov is a Sambo world champion who will be making his promotional debut at PFL 3 2019. The Russian is 25-7 in his career with four knockouts and 12 submissions. Nemkov holds wins over UFC vets Ronny Markes and Gadzhimurad Antigulov as well as Bellator veteran Attila Vegh. The 32-year-old is 2-2 in his last four, coming off a loss against UFC light heavyweight Klidson Farias.

Rakim Cleveland will appear on PFL for a second straight year. He got into the light heavyweight tournament last year as the eighth seed after a four-point regular season in 2018. As the eighth-seed, Cleveland was matched up with top-ranked BJJ expert Vinny Magalhaes last year and was subsequently submitted in the first round. Prior to joining the PFL, “The Boogeyman” was 18-9-1 with wins over UFC veterans Brian Houston and Houston Alexander, and multiple fights against Derrick Lewis.

Wild punches were exchanged in close range early in the first round. A two-punch combo followed by a leg kick connected for Viktor Nemkov. Nemkov scored a takedown near the cage. As Cleveland was trying to escape, Nemkov snatched up a D’Arce choke, but Cleveland worked his way out and stood up. Cleveland threw some wild punches inside, including a solid uppercut, but Nemkov responded with a clinch and got another takedown. The Russian tried for another D’Arce, but again Cleveland protected his neck and survived the first round.

After a slow start to the round, a left hand from Cleveland knocked Nemkov down. Hard kicks landed for Nemkov and Cleveland waved him forward. Another solid left hand landed for Cleveland and they traded hooks. Rakim was starting to get a feel for his striking in this round as Nemkov was struggling to get inside. Nemkov shot for another takedown but Cleveland stood tall and hit him with a hard combination.

Heavy hands were exchanged in the clinch against the cage, and Cleveland landed a two-piece after pushing away in the beginning of the final round. They clashed again, but this time, a Nemkov knee landed below the belt. Cleveland took his time, and when action resumed, Nemkov drove hard for a takedown and got it. Cleveland popped back up, but Nemkov stayed on his back, peppering his legs with knees. Cleveland eventually broke free, and Nemkov shot for another takedown. The fighters bounced off the fence into a guillotine attempt for Cleveland. He had it relatively deep, but Nemkov forced his way out, and we are heading to a close decision.

Viktor Nemkov def. Rakim Cleveland by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)

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