Vadim Nemkov and Cris Cyborg will both be in action in Lyon, providing optimism about what the PFL will bring in 2026.
After almost a year of inactivity, Vadim Nemkov returns to PFL Lyon with a new contract with the promotion, and there is a lot of speculation about what plans the promotion has for the future. The most obvious: Was he re-signed with the intention of starting a fight with the now enigmatic Francis Ngannou? The former Bellator light heavyweight champion is on a 13-fight winning streak, with his highlights dating back even further to his days as part of Japan’s RIZIN. If “The Predator” is enticed to return by anyone on the PFL roster, it feels like Nemkov would be the best choice.
“I want to be the heavyweight champion and defend it for a LONG TIME”
December 13 is about 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗖𝗬 for Vadim Nemkov as the PFL World Heavyweight Title is on the line against Renan Ferreira! #PFLLyon | Sat December 13 | LDLC Arena, Lyon | 📺LIVE on the ESPN App | 🎟️ON… pic.twitter.com/TonLhnOH8W
— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 1, 2025
That is of course a big assumption. Facing Nemkov is the 2023 heavyweight champion who has wreaked havoc on the promotion in recent years: Renan Ferreira. “El Problema” hasn’t been seen since last year and the time away has no doubt fueled a desire to get back into shape when he returns to the cage. Despite Nemkov’s skills, expect a striker vs. grappler duel between two of the most destructive forces the promotion has to offer.
The co-headliner sees a living legend in Cris “Cyborg” Justino return to mixed martial arts following speculation about whether or not she would step back into the cage. In her final MMA fight, she outlasted 2023 season champion Larissa Pacheco. In the eyes of many, the victory felt like the final feather to be added to the Brazilian mixed martial arts legend’s cap. To add to the speculation, Justino stopped three opponents in boxing earlier this year, leaving many wondering if she was looking for a big fight in the squared circle.
Instead, Justino returns to show she’s still in top form as she gives undefeated underdog Sara Collins the chance to record a career-defining victory. Collins, a fellow Bellator veteran, had two fights in the promotion, including one in which she defeated former title challenger Sinead Kavanagh. Collins has made one appearance since taking over and she made the most of it by stopping the highly ranked Leah McCourt with a first round submission. That victory now ensures that the Australian contender gets her biggest career opportunity.
With not one but two titles on the line, the PFL is closing out the year by setting up more potential matchups for 2026, where it has already been announced that the promotion will have top talent back in action in the first quarter of the year.
#PFL #Lyon #Return #Nemkov #Cyborg #sign #future #plans