Bellator rankings: Vadim Nemkov takes top pound-for-pound slot following Patricio Freire’s shocking loss in Japan
Patricio ‘Pitbull’ stepped up on short notice to face Chihiro Suzuki in a Rizin co-promoted event, but the shocking loss proved costly in the rankings.
Bellator MMA has a new No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
Reigning light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov (17-2 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) was awarded the honor in the latest official rankings update following the shocking upset that Bellator featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (35-7 MMA, 23-6 BMMA) suffered while competing in Japan.
Patricio “Pitbull” stepped up on short notice to take on Chihiro Suzuki at this past weekend’s co-promoted Bellator and Rizin FF event at the legendary Saitama Super Arena, but his risk was not rewarded, as he suffered a shocking first-round loss via knockout.
With the setback, Freire ceded the No. 1 position to Nemkov, who last saw action in June, defending his title against Cuban veteran Yoel Romero.
Take a look at the updated Bellator pound-for-pound rankings below. To see the full updated rankings, check out Bellator.com.
- Vadim Nemkov +1
- Patricio “Pitbull” Freire -1
- Yaroslav Amosov
- Sergio Pettis +4
- Johnny Eblen -1
- A.J. McKee -1
- Usman Nurmagomedov -1
- Ryan Bader -1
- Patchy Mix
- Corey Anderson NR