Vadim Nemkov ‘Honored’ to Share Card with Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 290

Vadim Nemkov didn’t get too much time to savor his light heavyweight grand prix victory over Corey Anderson at Bellator 288.

After all, it had already been announced that Yoel Romero would be next in line to challenge for light heavyweight gold prior to Bellator 288 this past weekend. Nemkov vs. Romero will serve as the co-main event for Bellator 290 on Feb. 4.

“I didn’t know it was gonna be such a quick turnaround,” Nemkov admitted through a translator at the Bellator 288 post-fight press conference. “That’s what it is, so I’m gonna get home, spend a little time with my family, heal up a little bit and start getting ready.”

The 45-year-old Romero was already in the UFC by the time Nemkov made his professional debut. “The Soldier of God” twice challenged for middleweight gold in the Octagon before parting ways with the Las Vegas-based promotion to sign with Bellator MMA. After falling to Phil Davis in his promotional debut, Romero has rebounded to post back-to-back KO/TKO victories against Alex Polizzi and Melvin Manhoef.

“I watched him fight when I was just starting off,” Nemkov said of Romero. “I remember his fights and now I get a chance to fight him, so it’s definitely an honor.”

Perhaps the greatest opportunity for Nemkov is the chance to fight at the event that will feature Fedor Emelianenko’s farewell, a heavyweight title rematch against Ryan Bader. Not only that, but the card will be broadcast on CBS, so there’s a chance that the FedorTeam product’s bout will reach a larger audience than usual.

“I’m very honored to be on the same card as Fedor, especially on such a large platform that’s going to be viewed by millions of people around the world,” Nemkov said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to showcase that Fedor’s MMA school [is] world class. I can really show what mixed martial arts evolution is like from there.”

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