Nemkov’s First-Round Choke Secured the PFL Heavyweight Crown
Vadim Nemkov submitted Renan Ferreira to win the PFL heavyweight championship on December 13, 2025, at LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. The arm-triangle choke ended the main event at 4:00 of the first round after Nemkov repeatedly established superior position on the canvas.
A former light heavyweight champion faced a much larger opponent
Nemkov had moved up after relinquishing his Bellator light heavyweight title. Submissions of Bruno Cappelozza and Tim Johnson preceded his championship assignment against Ferreira.
The weigh-in emphasized the size difference: Nemkov registered 241.9 pounds and Ferreira 258.8. Ferreira brought the knockout threat that had carried him to the 2023 PFL season championship.
The takedown immediately changed the range of the fight
Nemkov secured the first takedown and worked near the fence, landing punches while advancing through Ferreira’s guard. He reached mount and began threatening the arm-triangle.
Ferreira briefly reversed position and landed shots, creating a chance to escape the increasingly difficult situation. Nemkov rolled back on top, removing that opening before the challenger could establish sustained control.
The renewed choke completed a decisive championship performance
Nemkov reapplied the arm-triangle and forced the submission with one minute remaining in the round. His transition back to top position proved central to the finishing sequence.
The result made Nemkov PFL heavyweight world champion and extended his successful move into the division. Ferreira’s brief reversal could not alter a contest decided by repeated positional advances and a submission attack that survived the first defensive response.
Sources
- PFL: official finish and positional sequence
- PFL: December 13 date, venue and official weights
- MMA Fighting: heavyweight championship result
