Vadim Nemkov set for PFL heavyweight title defence against Sergei Bilostenniy in Dubai
Coca-Cola Arena will host the championship bout on November 14
DUBAI – Professional Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight world champion Vadim Nemkov will defend his title against third-ranked Sergei Bilostenniy in Dubai on Saturday, November 14.
The championship bout will headline PFL Dubai at Coca-Cola Arena, bringing two Russian heavyweights with strong Team Fedor connections into the cage.
The event marks PFL’s return to the emirate as part of a wider agreement aimed at expanding international mixed martial arts events in Dubai.
Title fight
Nemkov enters the contest with a 20-2 professional record and sits second in the PFL’s pound-for-pound rankings. A protégé of legendary heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko and a four-time Combat Sambo champion, Nemkov previously held the Bellator light heavyweight title before moving up to heavyweight in 2024.
The 33-year-old claimed the PFL heavyweight world championship last December and has remained unbeaten for the past decade. Half of his career victories have come by KO or TKO, while six have been secured by submission. His three heavyweight appearances have all ended with choke submissions, underlining his grappling credentials alongside his striking ability.
Bilostenniy brings a 15-4 record into the championship clash and has won four of his five PFL fights. His victories include wins over Karl Williams, Tyrell Fortune and former PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. Like Nemkov, Bilostenniy is affiliated with Team Fedor and has previously shared training camps with the champion.
Dubai return
The November event will be PFL’s first Dubai card since its merger with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP). The promotion is staging the event under a cooperation agreement with Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, with the partnership focused on bringing major international MMA events to the emirate.
MVP CEO John Martin said Dubai had become a special city for PFL, adding that the organisation would raise the stakes with a heavyweight world championship on the line.
Dubai Sports Council Vice Chairman Khalfan Juma Belhoul said the event would support sports tourism by attracting fans, athletes, coaches and media from around the world. He also said the PFL’s return would provide a platform for regional talent, particularly fighters from the PFL MENA roster, to move towards the global combat sports stage.
Pre-sale tickets are currently available, while general sales will open at 12pm GST on Tuesday, September 8, through PFL’s official website.