Vadim Nemkov got his title reign off to a promising start on Friday when he defended the light heavyweight belt against Phil Davis in the Bellator 257 headliner.
Nemkov (13-2 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) retained the strap and subsequently advances to the semifinal round of the promotion’s 205-pound grand prix when he beat Davis (22-6 MMA, 9-3 BMMA) for a second time in his career, earning a unanimous decision victory in the headlining but at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Nemkov’s victory over Davis at Bellator 257.
MMA Junkie
It's time for the #Bellator257 headliner! Vadim Nemkov puts his 205-pound title on the line vs. Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) in a grand prix quarterfinal.
Full results: https://t.co/lFqL82V2uK pic.twitter.com/XUCOdulGRA
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) April 17, 2021
Juan Archuleta
Man this is going to be who ever makes the first mistake 😳 #Bellator257 @BellatorMMA @SHOsports
— Juan Archuleta (@jarchmma) April 17, 2021
Luke Thomas
Easy Nemkov round to open the fight.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) April 17, 2021
Fernanda Prates
Even Nemkov’s bleeding looks kinda badass
— Fernanda Prates (@NandaPrates_) April 17, 2021
Bellator MMA
DOWN GOES DAVIS! #Bellator257
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 17, 2021
Dan Tom
This is the one fight/matchup where’s it totally ok for Davis to start slow but these first 10 minutes have damage throughout it as Nemkov drops Davis… could be a good thing if Phil can recover given the energy Nemkov is feeling/his suspect tank
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) April 17, 2021
Sean Sheehan
9 punches landed in 12 minutes for Phil Davis. Jaysus. #BelleMariano
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) April 17, 2021
FIght Ghost
Nemkov beating Phil Davis all over the cage for the first 15 minutes. Can the Russian finish strong in a 5 rounder? Has the fight on the cards if ten more minutes elapse. #Bellator257
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) April 17, 2021
Matheus Aquino
Davis' best chance to win this fight was to rely on his wrestling and he barely even tried to impose it.
— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) April 17, 2021
Danny Segura
I have it 30-27, Nemkov. He's been busier and has has landed cleaner. #Bellator257
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) April 17, 2021
MMA Junkie
Fedor doing what he can to coach Vadim Nemkov to victory. 🗣️ #Bellator257 pic.twitter.com/6Zhww3F2Yt
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 17, 2021
Jed I Goodman
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) April 17, 2021
Mookie Alexander
Nemkov is tired but basically Davis has to KO him.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) April 17, 2021
Caposa
Vadim catching a 2nd wind in R5. Looking sharp again
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 17, 2021
Luke Thomas
This is what Phil Davis does. He's really hard to hurt or do much against. Unless the opponent is overmatched, he's very much a keen manager of risk. But that means he doesn't really push the fight. You get a lot of this as a consequence.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) April 17, 2021
E. Casey Leydon
That was an exciting Phil Davis fight!! I got it 3-2 Nemkov #Bellator257
— E. Casey Leydon (@ekc) April 17, 2021
Dan Tom
Davis retains his record of not being stopped, but continues to shoot is style in the foot by choosing to strike with low output.
Great to see Nemkov finally go five, but not sure how much he was really pushed, as Davis’ style also pollutes this sample size. 49-46 Nemkov here.
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) April 17, 2021
MMA Junkie
#Bellator257 results: Vadim Nemkov def. Phil Davis via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) – retains light heavyweight title; advances to grand prix semifinal
Complete results: https://t.co/CQKG9AMt2W pic.twitter.com/dAWkLuewTY
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) April 17, 2021
Derek Brunson
Phil Davis is 22-6 & a Top 10 205s in the world . But watching him fight is frustrating because at the start of his career I thought he’d be a GOAT at 205, maybe 25-3 record 🧐
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 17, 2021
1
1