Fans Disappointed by Last-Minute Replacement in Bellator's Heavyweight Title Eliminator in Dubai
01/07/2025 10:16 AM
Bellator, now a part of the PFL, was never known for its spectacular heavyweight matchmaking, and it shows in its latest heavyweight title eliminator announcement.
Russia’s Vadim Nemkov has been one of the hottest prospects outside of the UFC for years, capturing the Bellator light heavyweight title in 2020 and defending it four times since.
Nemkov is keen on capturing heavyweight gold, and began his title run with a submission win over Bruno Cappelozza at PFL vs. Bellator in February 2024.
Unfortunately for fans of Nemkov, a litany of cancellations has kept him outside of the cage, and now a recent fight announcement from Bellator that Tim Johnson will be his next opponent has fans up in arms about his squandered potential.
Fans react to Johnson vs. Nemkov announcement
Fan sentiment towards 18-10, 39-year-old Johnson facing Nemkov was a mixed bag of bewildered and disappointed.
“What an awful booking,” One user commented on the announcement.
“Ridiculous,” said one fan. “Wasting the talent of Nemkov on old and washed fighters.”
“Top five light heavyweight vs. a guy who wasn’t even good ten years ago during his prime,” Another wrote.
“Tim Johnson is retired let him retire instead of getting knocked out, dude is way out of his prime. Vadim is the only challenge for Francis,” Another commented.
“This won’t even be competitive… what a waste,” Concluded another user.
Tim Johnson steps in to fight Vadim Nemkov at Road to Dubai Champions Series
The announcement took fans by surprise as Johnson has gone 6-4 in his last ten fights, with his most recent loss coming against Denis Goltsov in the PFL 2024 playoffs.
Nemkov is on route to fight Francis Ngannou for the PFL Super Fights Championship, so Johnson is a key stepping stone from a technical standpoint. The American slugger is a tall 6’3″, and typically weighs at the heavyweight limit of 265 lbs. In contrast, Nemkov last weighed 238 lbs.
With Johnson vs. Nemkov announced, Road to Dubai’s full fight card is as follows (subject to change):
- Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes; Lightweight Title Fight
- Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson
- Khasan Magomedsharipov vs. Nathan Kelly
- Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Kenny Mokhonoana
- Renat Khavalov vs. Cleiver Fernandes
- Tarek Suleiman vs. Ahmed Sami
- Hadi Omar Al Hussaini vs. Ruel Panales
- Yakub Sulimanov vs. J. Al-Silawi
- John Mitchell vs. Souhil Tairi
- Youssef Al Housani vs. Assem Ghanem
- M. Rashed Neda vs. Haider Khan
- Mirafzal Akhtamov vs. Mike Thompson
