Vadim Nemkov sits at the top of the light heavyweight throne in Bellator. The division is stacked at the moment. In fact, CEO Scott Coker believes that he has the best light-heavyweight division in the world. With the likes of Phil Davis, Lyoto Machida, and Ryan Bader among many others, he makes a compelling case. Phil Davis, [https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Phil-Davis-27802] who recently won his fight against Lyoto Machida, [https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Lyoto-Machida-7513] is on a three-fight win streak. Arguably, he is next in line for a title shot. Vadim Nemkov, on the other hand, won his title against Ryan Bader last month and will take some time before he can get back in the octagon to defend his title. The 28-year-old Russian champion is undefeated in the promotion. Nemkov, [http://www.bellator.com/fighters/k1wlv3/vadim-nemkov] who is a decorated sambo practitioner, joined the Bellator in August 2017. He made his debut against Lins, stopping him in the very first round of the fight. He went on to stop McGeary in the third round via vicious leg kicks. Vadim then etched out a split decision win over a big name in Phil Davis. Post that, Nemkov eviscerated Carvalho in round 2 via rear-naked choke. Ryan Bader [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/vadim-nemkov-ryan-bader-bellator-244-1.jpg] The Russian’s impressive win streak in the Bellator at 4-0 earned him the title shot against Ryan Bader [https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk00PIa45ADG6TRlClKHsJin5MH8yUQ%3A1600081142679&ei=9kxfX4HxKJrXz7sPy9uGgA0&q=ryan+bader+sher+dog&oq=ryan+bader+sher+dog&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzIECAAQDToECCMQJzoFCAAQkQI6BAgAEEM6AggAOgYIABAWEB46BQghEKABUN68BFirxQRg98YEaABwAHgAgAG0AYgBwQ2SAQQwLjExmAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpesABAQ&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwiBxPvgvujrAhWa63MBHcutAdAQ4dUDCA0&uact=5] last month. The two-division champ was stopped inside two rounds of the fight by a vicious head kick followed by a barrage of punches [https://www.essentiallysports.com/bellator-244-did-the-referee-stop-the-fight-too-late-ryan-bader-vadim-nemkov/] while Bader was trying to stand up. VADIM NEMKOV AND THE FUTURE OF THE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION After the Machida fight, Davis said that he was not interested in waiting around for Vadim for a title shot. Coker was asked about the likes of Corey Anderson, Phil Davis and the light-heavyweight picture in general. [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/phil-davis-lyoto-machida.jpg] Coker replied saying, “That’s definitely a possibility (Davis Taking on Anderson [https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Corey-Anderson-171723]). You know I haven’t really talked to my guys about it but that’s definitely a possibility. With Nemkov, you know we haven’t really spoken since he departed to Russia. We’re definitely going to reach out and ask him when he will be ready to go again cause we’d like him to fight soon. He had a great performance against Bader, and I think we saw a star being born on that night.” [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tampGwCOdQ?start=292] Who would you like to see Vadim face for his first title defense? 

While answering meida question, Scott Coker reveals his plan for the
lightheavyweight divison. Followed by an update on Vadim Nemkov.

Kevin Binoy is an MMA author at EssentiallySports. He earned a Bachelor's degree
from Fergusson College and has been covering sports professionally for over two
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Scott Coker Opens Up On What’s Next For Vadim Nemkov And The Light-Heavyweight
Division

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<h2><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-335454" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200807182845/bellatot-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="630" /></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">History</h2>
Bellator MMA is one of the world's largest mixed martial arts promotions and is recognised as the closest competitor to the UFC. The term Bellator has its origin in Latin language which translates to 'warrior' in English.

Bjorn Rebney founded the company in 2008 and ran it until 2014, before departing and handing the reins to Scott Coker. Presently, the company has successfully hosted 242 numbered events. 
<h2><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-257245" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200425201918/cokr.jpg" alt="Scott Coker" width="1200" height="675" /></h2>
The former Strikeforce executive made the move after his contract with Zuffa expired. Following Coker’s arrival, Bellator MMA pivoted to a more traditional North American approach to the sport. This is a <a href="https://www.si.com/mma/2014/09/04/scott-coker-bellator-format-changing">departure</a> from the organization's tournament format during its initial phase. 
<h2>Bellator's tournament format</h2>
Bellator MMA has played host to a variety of tournaments under its older format, with 11 seasons of Bellator Fighting Championship held in 4 years from 2009 to 2014. The tournaments saw fighters of specific weight classes compete for a shot at the divisional title. 

Also in 2013, the promotion aired a single-season series called <a href="https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/4/23/4257460/bellator-books-june-19-summer-series-start-with-king-mo-reality-show">Fight Master: Bellator MMA</a> where Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, and Joe Warren served as coaches. 

Like all American martial arts organizations, the rules for fights in the Bellator promotion are exactly the same with eye gouges and groin strikes deemed as illegal offenses for which fighters can incur point penalties or be disqualified. 

Along with MMA, Bellator has a kickboxing promotion which has hosted 12 events since its <a href="http://www.bellator.com/articles/43lpt8/scott-coker-launches-bellator-kickboxing">inception</a> in 2016.
<h2>Some big names who are part of Bellator MMA</h2>
At present, the company is home to some of the biggest MMA names including former UFC Champions like Cris Cyborg, Frank Mir, and Lyoto Machida. Current Bellator Champions include Ryan Bader, Douglas Lima, Patricio Freire, and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Additionally, the promotion is home to big names such as Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, and Cat Zingano.

[caption id="attachment_256194" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]<img class="wp-image-256194 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200423224443/patricio-freire-bellator-221-4.png" alt="" width="1000" height="667" /> Patricio Freire after becoming a two-division Bellator MMA champion[/caption]

Currently, there are 7 divisions for male fighters in Bellator. These are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight. The promotion offers 2 divisions for its female talent at Featherweight and flyweight. 
<h2>List of Champions at Bellator MMA</h2>
Bellator MMA has 5 <a href="http://www.bellator.com/fighters">world champions</a> across 9 divisions. 2 fighters are double champions and 2 divisional titles are vacant at present. 

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-335406" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200807180128/cris-c.jpg" alt="Cris Cyborg" width="1200" height="800" />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Division</td>
<td>Name</td>
<td>Date Won</td>
<td>Title Defenses</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Heavyweight</td>
<td>Ryan Bader</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/m3b3su/bellator-214-fedor-vs-bader">January 26, 2019</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2335530/ryan-bader">1</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Light Heavyweight</td>
<td>Ryan Bader</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/65su78/bellator-180-davis-vs-bader">June 24, 2017</a></td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middleweight</td>
<td>Vacant</td>
<td>Since February 10, 2020</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Welterweight</td>
<td>Douglas Lima</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/a7efkd/bellator-232-macdonald-vs-lima-2">October 26,2019</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2500691/douglas-lima">0</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lightweight</td>
<td>Patricio Freire</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/jjumh6/bellator-221-chandler-vs-pitbull">May 11, 2019</a></td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Featherweight</td>
<td>Patricio Freire</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/8t7jed/bellator-178-straus-vs-pitbull-4">April 21,2017</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2532870/patricio-freire">3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bantamweight</td>
<td>Vacant</td>
<td>Since November 27, 2019</td>
<td>0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Women’s Featherweight</td>
<td>Cris Cyborg</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/5r5vxq/bellator-238-budd-vs-cyborg">January 25, 2020</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/2354564/cris-cyborg">0</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Women’s Flyweight</td>
<td>Ilima-Lei Macfarlane</td>
<td><a href="http://www.bellator.com/events/v1400o/bellator-186-bader-vs-vassell">November 3,2017</a></td>
<td><a href="https://www.espn.in/mma/fighter/history/_/id/3924103/ilima-lei-macfarlane">4</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Bellator MMA

History Bellator MMA is one of the world&#8217;s largest mixed martial arts promotions and is recognised as the closest competitor to the UFC. The term Bellator has its origin in Latin language which translates to &#8216;warrior&#8217; in English. Bjorn Rebney founded the company in 2008 and ran it until 2014, before departing and handing the reins to Scott Coker. Presently, the company has successfully hosted 242 numbered events.  The former Strikeforce executive made the move after his contract with Zuffa expired. Following Coker’s arrival, Bellator MMA pivoted to a more traditional North American approach to the sport. This is a departure from the organization&#8217;s tournament format during its initial phase.  Bellator&#8217;s tournament format Bellator MMA has played host to a variety of tournaments under its older format, with 11 seasons of Bellator Fighting Championship held in 4 years from 2009 to 2014. The tournaments saw fighters of specific weight classes compete for a shot at the divisional title.  Also in 2013, the promotion aired a single-season series called Fight Master: Bellator MMA where Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson, and Joe Warren served as coaches.  Like all American martial arts organizations, the rules for fights in the Bellator promotion are exactly the same with eye gouges and groin strikes deemed as illegal offenses for which fighters can incur point penalties or be disqualified.  Along with MMA, Bellator has a kickboxing promotion which has hosted 12 events since its inception in 2016. Some big names who are part of Bellator MMA At present, the company is home to some of the biggest MMA names including former UFC Champions like Cris Cyborg, Frank Mir, and Lyoto Machida. Current Bellator Champions include Ryan Bader, Douglas Lima, Patricio Freire, and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. Additionally, the promotion is home to big names such as Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, and Cat Zingano. Patricio Freire after becoming a two-division Bellator MMA champion Currently, there are 7 divisions for male fighters in Bellator. These are heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight, featherweight and bantamweight. The promotion offers 2 divisions for its female talent at Featherweight and flyweight.  List of Champions at Bellator MMA Bellator MMA has 5 world champions across 9 divisions. 2 fighters are double champions and 2 divisional titles are vacant at present.    Division Name Date Won Title Defenses  Heavyweight Ryan Bader January 26, 2019 1  Light Heavyweight Ryan Bader June 24, 2017 1  Middleweight Vacant Since February 10, 2020 &#8211;  Welterweight Douglas Lima October 26,2019 0  Lightweight Patricio Freire May 11, 2019 0  Featherweight Patricio Freire April 21,2017 3  Bantamweight Vacant Since November 27, 2019 0  Women’s Featherweight Cris Cyborg January 25, 2020 0  Women’s Flyweight Ilima-Lei Macfarlane November 3,2017 4

Bellator MMA Archives

Bellator MMA Archives - EssentiallySports

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Scott Coker Opens Up On What’s Next For Vadim Nemkov And The Light-Heavyweight Division

Vadim Nemkov and the Future of the Light Heavyweight division