Arguably one of the most significant MMA (mixed martial arts) cards of this year was held in France this past weekend. PFL (Professional Fighters League) Lyon’s main event saw Russian Vadim Nemkov (20-2) crowned as the inaugural PFL heavyweight world champion, making quick work of Brazilian Renan Ferreira (13-5), submitting him in four minutes of the first round with an arm triangle choke.
“I’ll fight anyone that the company wants me to, but I really want to fight Francis Ngannou,” Nemkov said via a translator following his win. Ngannou is the most prominent figure in the PFL. He built his name and reputation as the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) –– the most popular and successful MMA brand in the sport –– heavyweight champion from March 2021 until he departed from the organization in January of 2023.
The 39-year-old, 6-4, 255 Ngannou, who was born and raised in Cameroon and moved to France at age 26 before settling in the United States in Las Vegas to pursue his mixed martial arts ambitions, said he welcomes the challenge from Nemkov.
“I’ve been ready for a long time. See you soon,” posted Ngannou via X, formerly known as Twitter, setting up a potential superfight between Nemkov, the former Bellator light heavyweight champion, and the former UFC heavyweight strap holder. Bellator, which was one of the biggest combat promotions in the world, ended its operations in 2025 and was acquired by the PFL.
In the co-main event, Brazilian Cris Cyborg (29-2, 1 no contest) became the PFL women’s featherweight world champion when she defeated Sara Collins (6-1) with a rear-naked chokehold in the third round. Cyborg, who will turn 41 this summer and hasn’t lost in seven years, suggested she wants one more match before she retires.
In the boxing ring, Newark’s Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) will vacate his WBC lightweight title and move up from 135 to 140 pounds to challenge Brooklyn’s Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) for his WBO and The Ring junior welterweight titles on Saturday, January 31, at Madison Square Garden. Though Lopez, 28, has one loss, he also holds the most impressive victory of the pair, defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko in October 2020.
“In reality, man, this guy is the best, and we’re here to face the best,” Lopez said on why he chose this fight. “That’s just what it is. Forget the rest… Every fighter that I faced, in this beautiful weight class, all the things that I learned from every fighter that I faced, to now, will be on display against Shakur Stevenson.”
Stevenson commented that his mind will be as important as his physical skills when he takes on Lopez.
“A lot of the weaknesses are mental,” Stevenson, also 28, said of Lopez. “I think it’s more mental than anything again. I’m going to expose it. I just don’t think he realizes how good I am. I think come fight night, he’s going to realize that I’m gonna take it to another level that he has never seen before.”