Former PFL and Bellator champions to clash in Dubai as heavyweight co-main event for super card is confirmed
11/28/2024 11:33 PM
Two former champions will clash in the co-main event of Bellator in Dubai this January, Bloody Elbow can confirm.
2022 PFL heavyweight champion Ante Delija will take on the ex-Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov. The Russian also won the 2024 promotional battle of the champions at heavyweight, and has permanently now moved up in weight.
Sources can confirm that the pair’s meeting will take place on January 25 under Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov. It will be the PFL’s big step into Dubai, after initially hosting major events in Saudi Arabia this year.
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Vadim Nemkov and Ante Delija to battle in Dubai
Sources within PFL have confirmed to Bloody Elbow that the co-main event of Bellator’s debut in Dubai will see Vadim Nemkov and Ante Delija do battle at heavyweight. The Russian has been unbeatable since coming to America, and only lost his 205lb belt when he moved up in weight earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the Croatian has tasted the PFL’s $1million prize in 2022, and this season started with a victory before being stopped by Valentin Moldavsky. He is a close friend and sparring partner of UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
It is unclear what the stakes will be in Dubai, but with Francis Ngannou’s next MMA fight still up in the air, a big win for either man could see their names put in the hat. They are both highly-ranked in the outside-of-UFC rankings in the division across many different aggregators.
There had been word that Nemkov may be eyeing a move to the UFC, but he first must take on the veteran Delija in a tough heavyweight clash.
Bellator Champions Series Dubai brings Ireland and Dagestan back together
The main event of the Bellator Champions Series sees another lightweight world title clash between Ireland and Dagestan. Over six years on from Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s meeting, it’s the chance of Khabib’s cousin Usman and McGregor’s close friend Paul Hughes.
Nurmagomedov’s Bellator title will be on the line after Hughes earned his shot by defeating AJ McKee back in October in Riyadh. The Russian is undefeated, while his Irish rival has avenged his sole career loss back in Cage Warriors.
“I am always excited to challenge myself against the best athletes and I view Paul Hughes as a worthy opponent," Nurmagomedov stated on the upcoming title fight, adding that he was “proud to be the first MMA main event in Dubai history."
"The championship has always been in my plans, and now it's coming to fruition in January when I face Usman," Paul Hughes said in response: "I respect what he brings to the table and I am not discrediting him, but I know I will leave Dubai on January 25 as the new champion."
