The Vadim
Nemkov–Corey
Anderson trilogy bout won’t be happening at
Professional Fighters League’s Road to Dubai event as
originally planned.
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A promotion official confirmed the cancellation to Sherdog.com on
Tuesday following an initial report from
MMAFighting.com. The PFL is seeking a new co-main event for the
card. Nemkov was originally booked to meet 2022 PFL heavyweight
champion Ante Delija
at Road to Dubai, but the 34-year-old Croatian withdrew from the
event.
Road to Dubai takes place on Jan. 25 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai
and appears to be a rebranded version of Bellator
Champions Series. In the main event, Usman
Nurmagomedov will defend his lightweight strap against Paul
Hughes.
While a reason for the cancellation wasn’t given, Anderson recently
took to social media to blame Nemkov for backing out of the
fight.
“Woke up to a text this morning from PFL and Bellator saying ‘Vadim
refuses to fight you,’” Anderson said in video on Instagram.
“Verbatim their words is ‘you’re too tough of a fight for him.
That’s what he says but he wants to stay on the card and fight a
lesser opponent. Can’t make this stuff up.
“How do you call yourself the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the
organization, but you’re scared to fight somebody that you’ve
already fought twice on seven weeks’ notice.”
Anderson and Nemkov initially fought in the Bellator grand prix
final in April 2022. Anderson appeared to be on his way to victory
when an accidental clash of heads resulted in the bout being ruled
a no contest. Nemkov cruised in the rematch, taking a five-round
unanimous verdict at Bellator 288 in November 2022. Their third
meeting was scheduled to be contested in the heavyweight
division.
Nemkov moved to heavyweight in his most recent outing, as he scored
a second-round submission win over Bruno
Cappelozza at a PFL vs. Bellator event this past February.
Anderson is 2-0 since his loss to Nemkov. He defeated fellow UFC
veteran Phil Davis
via split decision at Bellator 297 before claiming the vacant
Bellator light heavyweight title with a decision triumph over
Karl
Moore at Bellator Champions Series Belfast on March 22.