Nemkov vs Ferreira, Cyborg Title Fights Dec 13

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – OCTOBER 19: Cris Cyborg walks out ahead of the Women’s Featherweight World Title fight between Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco as part of the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants card at Kingdom Arena on October 19, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

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On December 13 in Lyon, France, the Professional Fighters League will crown two new champions. Renan Ferreira will look to bounce back from his KO loss to Francis Ngannou when he takes on Vadim Nemkov for the PFL Heavyweight Championship.

In the co-main event, MMA legend Cris Cyborg faces Sara Collins for the vacant PFL women’s featherweight crown. I had an opportunity to speak with Cyborg and Ferreira recently about their upcoming fights and futures with the PFL.

Main Event: Vadim Nemkov vs. Renan Ferreira (PFL Heavyweight Championship)

After being asked about his preparation for Nemkov, Ferreira acknowledged the challenge ahead. “It’s a very important fight, a very tough opponent, so I’ve been working a lot and I’m prepared for this fight,” Ferreira said. “It’s a tough opponent, so we make a tough camp out of it.”

Ferreira described Nemkov as a complete fighter. “He’s a guy that brings speed, he brings a very strong volume of blows, and he’s a guy that has shown that he’s good in all areas,” he explained. “He has a good exchange, a sharp exchange, he’s able to do a ground game very well, a grappling game, he has a ground and pound, so he’s a very complete fighter.”

When asked about his loss to Ngannou and to rate his confidence level in a rematch, Ferreira said: “I’d definitely say it’s a 10. I feel like the main mistake was I overcommitted. I was a little too greedy with my shots, and that ended up costing me.”

Co-Main Event: Cris Cyborg vs. Sara Collins (PFL Women’s Featherweight Championship)

Cyborg explained why this fight matters despite her legendary status. “I think every fight in my career is important,” she said. “I’m finishing my legacy tour. In Brazil we say chave de ouro. It’s a gold key. So every single fight is important for me.”

After being asked about preparing for Collins, a high-level judoka, Cyborg emphasized adaptability. “We can have a lot of plans in the fight, but when the first punch lands, it can change everything,” she said. “You have to be ready for any situation in the fight.”

Full Fight Card

Main Card (11 a.m. ET – ESPN Unlimited)

• Vadim Nemkov (19-2) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-4) – PFL Heavyweight Championship
• Cris Cyborg (28-2) vs. Sara Collins (6-0) – PFL Women’s Featherweight Championship
• Patrick Habirora (7-0) vs. Kevin Jousset (10-4)
• Taylor Lapilus (22-4) vs. Liam Gittins (13-4)
• Asaël Adjoudj (10-1) vs. Fred Dupras (9-2)
• Baris Adiguzel (9-1) vs. Dean Garnett (14-3-1)
• Boris Mbarga Atangana (7-0) vs. Guilherme Soares (0-1)
• Connor Hughes (12-2) vs. Alex Chizov (12-3)
• Gustavo Oliveira (11-2) vs. Movsar Ibragimov (7-0)
• Paulina Wisniewska (6-0) vs. Sabrinna de Sousa (4-0)
• Rayan Balbali (1-0) vs. Levi Batchelor (3-0)
• Adam Meskini (10-3) vs. Gaetano Pirrello (17-7-1)

How to Watch

PFL Lyon takes place Saturday, December 13 at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. The main card begins at 11 a.m. ET and streams exclusively on ESPN Unlimited in the United States.

The first half of December will be a busy one for combat sports. PFL Lyon figures to fit into the end-of-year schedule nicely. Be on the lookout for coverage for MMA and boxing as we bid farewell to 2025.