One of the biggest names outside the UFC does not go to the Octagon, and many fans are not happy with it …
The UFC has recently made waves with some prominent signing sessions. The most striking are the arrivals of many ex-Bellator height points.
In addition to the legendary Patricio Pitbull who arrives in the UFC this year and is going 1-1 so far, the former Bantam weight champion Patchy Mix joined the selection. UFC 319 recently saw the debut of Aaron Pico in the featherweight division.
To be coming his debut for former KSW stars Robert Ruchala and Jakub Wiklasz, who spoke about an improved policy in the UFC for signing sessions from rival promotions. However, that seems to have crashed after one of the most popular free agents in the sport chose to sign elsewhere.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty images
VADIM NEMKOV again signs with PFL Na UFC Rente brings a non-inspiring offer
News originated on Wednesday around the future of Vadim Nemkov, Bellator's longest reigning light heavyweight champion. The Russian moved to heavyweight in 2024 and took two wins over Bruno Cappelozza and Tim Johnson under the PFL banner.
The 33-year-old contract went after his last fight last January, and talked immediately to a potential future in the UFC. But Nemkov has again signed with the PFL and agreed with a new two -year -old deal.
He announced the news in an interview with Ushatayka before PFL founder Donn Davis confirmed it on social media. Nemkov unveiled conversations with the UFC collapsed when only half of what the PFL put on the table was offered.
The promotion of Dana White would justify the low supply by claiming that they simply no longer need Russian athletes.
“Now I have signed a new contract with the PFL,” said Nemkov (H/T Fight Time). “When the previous one ended, there were negotiations with the UFC, but there were misunderstandings, plus the conditions were twice as bad as in the PFL.
“If I was 20-25 years old, I would probably go to the UFC, but they made it clear to me that they are not particularly interested in hunters from Russia.
“They said that fighters from Russia are not yet necessary, because tournaments are not being held, broadcasts do not make real money and there are already many champions,” Nemkov added.
Great announcement 📣
Top heavyweight Vadim Nemkov has resigned with #pflmma up to and including 2027
Nemkov is consensus top 10 world ranked + hunter in the turnout
Potential fighting for him @pflmma …
👊Francis ngannou 👊renan ferreira 👊Oleg Popov 👊New signing …
– Donn Davis (@donndavispfl) 27 August 2025
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Fans count at UFC for not signing Vadim Nemkov
News about Nemkov's return to the PFL and the reasoning of the UFC not to do it anymore to take him to the Octagon quickly spread on social media.
It is sufficient to say that many fans are not happy that the leading promotion of the sport has missed a name a feasible threat to heavyweight King Tom Aspinall by some.
“Do you remember when the UFC tried to tell you that it was the best?”
“What is UFC's beef with Team Fedor? Nemkov is the only guy who could give Aspinall a run for his money on this point. Insane do not sign.”
“UFC wants to sign boys DWCs that they can pay 12k/12k … they are not interested in paying for the best available talent.”
“That is disappointing.”
“It is disappointing to see the UFC pull this card, especially for hunters in weight classes that have no talent and depth.”
“The UFC is a complete joke. You are deliberately ignorant if you think differently. The best mixed martial artists do not fight in the company. In fact, they don't even exist.”
The UFC is a complete joke.
You are deliberately ignorant if you think differently.
The best mixed martial artists do not fight in the company. In fact, they don't even exist. https://t.co/te5pdw4ejb
– Ryan McKinnell (@ryanmcinnell) 27 August 2025
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“Payment offer was half of PFLs … UFC doesn't even try anymore … dumping people such as Mokaev, Buday, battle with 7-0, 7-1, 7-1 records.”
“What a shame. Would like to see Nemkov in the UFC.”
“Unserious Fighting Championships.”