A veteran of the PFL’s heavyweight division, Bruno Cappelozza more than delivered in his debut season in 2021, running through Ante Delija, Muhammed DeReese and Jamelle Jones before another win over Delija to capture that year’s PFL heavyweight championship. Though he lost to Matheus Scheffel in 2022, his first-round finish of Stuart Austin was enough to get him into that year’s playoffs. Cappelozza, however, had to miss the 2022 postseason due to injury. It appeared Cappelozza got his revenge over Scheffel in the 2023 regular season; however, Cappelozza tested positive for a banned substance, overturning the win to a no-contest and causing him to miss the rest of last year.

 

The protege of the legendary Fedor Emelianenko, Vadim Nemkov has made a name for himself in Bellator’s light heavyweight division. Nemkov has gone unbeaten in his last 12 fights, including a 9-0 (1 NC) run with Bellator. After winning the Bellator light heavyweight title with a win over Ryan Bader, Nemkov defeated Phil Davis, Julius Anglickas and Corey Anderson to win Bellator’s Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. Nemkov defended the title against Yoel Romero in June, but chose last month to vacate the championship and move up to heavyweight.

 

Will Nemkov’s heavyweight debut be a success, or will Cappelozza give the Sambo specialist a rude awakening?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Nemkov. Nemkov spins but doesn’t throw anything. Nemkov with a small flurry. Low kick from Nemkov again. Cappelozza answers. Nemkov shoots in and gets a takedown, but Cappelozza quickly gets back to his feet with a scramble. Cappelozza turns the position and gets Nemkov against the fence. Nemkov fires a right on the break but doesn’t get anything. Nemkov throws a left. One-two by Nemkov, and Cappelozza misses his counter. Cappelozza with a left. One-two by Nemkov. Spinning back kick to the body by Nemkov. Left hand by Nemkov is blocked.

 

Combination by Nemkov ends with a head kick. One-two again from Nemkov. Right hand by Cappelozza lands. Left hand by Nemkov. Low kick by Nemkov. One-two by Nemkov. Combination by Nemkov but he stumbles at the end of it. High kick by Nemkov is blocked. Round kick by Cappelozza. High kick attempt by Nemkov is blocked. Left hand lands for Nemkov. Small combination by Cappelozza. Nemkov with a left. Nemkov catches Cappelozza coming in. Another left hand by Nemkov, followed by a spinning head kick that gets blocked.

 

 

Round 2

 

Nemkov catches a kick, then fires off a combination. Nemkov with another left hand. Low left kick to the side by Nemkov. Combination by Cappelozza, coming forward. Nemkov catches him with a quick left. Both men exchange, and Cappelozza wobbles Nemkov! Nemkov recovers, however, shoots in and scores a takedown on Cappelozza! Nemkov working in the half guard, but he transitions and locks in an arm-triangle. Cappelozza goes to sleep!

 

 

Nemkov gets the submission of the former PFL heavyweight champion in his heavyweight debut! He stays undefeated, and now Bellator holds a 3-0 lead over PFL!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Vadim Nemkov defeats Bruno Cappelozza by 2nd round submission (arm triangle, 2:13)