Exclusive Q&A: 'I don't want to let Fedor down,' explains his protégé, Vadim Nemkov

Vadim Nemkov (18-2) will face Renan Ferreira (13-4) in the main event of PFL Lyon for the organization's heavyweight belt. Nemkov, Fedor Emelianenko's protégé, can count on his support on December 13.

Opposite him will be Ferreira, who was recently defeated by Francis Ngannou by TKO in the first round. 

At 33, Nemkov is the star of Fedor Team and recently moved up to heavyweight. He spoke with DAZN News a few weeks before his next fight.

DAZN News: What do you think of Renan?

Vadim Nemkov: Strong opponent, tall, fast. He has a strong punch as well. That's what I think about him.

DN: Any prediction?

VN: Of course, to win. If I think about something else, as in to lose, what's the point of getting into the cage? That's the prediction, to win. It will be a very tough fight for me as well as for him, and I believe for the fans, it will be a very interesting fight to watch.

DN: What does it mean to you and to the Fedor team to be the first guy who fight for the heavyweight belt of the PFL?

VN: Our team is strong. We know that Oleg Popov won the World Tournament. Now, I'm fighting for the belt. So I'm very confident with our team. That's why I want to win this fight. That's why I want to win this fight, win this belt, and bring this belt to my country, and to show how strong my team is as well as my country.

DN: Can you face Oleg Popov after ?

VN: I believe this fight won't happen. I believe the organization will help us out here, but I believe that the fight will not happen there.

DN: How is Coach Fedor?

VN: Fedor is a great coach. He has a lot of experience, he fought a lot. Because being the athlete, for him, I want to continue winning. I don't want to let him down. That's my goal, to continue winning and represent his team.

DN: He will be your corner in France?

VN: Yes, of course. He will be with me. He will be in the corner. Right now, he's also with me at a training camp. During the fight, he will be with me, too.

DN: What was the importance of Fedor your career?

VN: For me, it's very important because, as I mentioned, I never want to let him down to show the world that his team is strong. That's what it means for me.

DN: Renan Ferreira lost by TKO against Francis Ngannou in the first round. Can he come back after that loss?

VN: I really hope that he will be good enough to recover and get back to the cage to fight.

DN: You were in light heavyweight, and now in heavyweight. How does it feel in that new division?

VN: Way better and way easier. I don't cut much weight and my diet is sharp, so I feel more energetic. But I also have to fight fighters who [are] two meters and above tall. That's, I guess, the challenge.

DN: You faced Corey Anderson twice. Now he's the champion of the light heavyweight division. Are you interested to face him again if he want to be a double champion?

VN: You know, he mentions my name many times, and I don't mind to fight him the next fight or the fight after. I'm ready to fight him and win him once again.

DN : You're a legend in Bellator. Now in the PFL. How does it feel in that new organization?

VN: I would say it's a great organization. I like this organization as well as what I'm expecting is to fight more. If the organization allows me, that will be the fantastic opportunity for me to fight more.

DN: Valentin Moldavsky thinks that you can beat Francis Ngannou. Why doesn't he fight you for the belt ?

VN: I don't have the answer as well. This is the question to himself, Ngannou. As well as to the organization. If they mention my name, if they will be ready, I'm ready to see.

DN: Did you think that you have a chance to beat him? How can you beat Francis Ngannou?

VN: Of course, I do. I've been in this sport for a very long time. I've been the champion in Bellator, so I know this game very well and I have the chances to win.

DN: What is your message to the French fans? 

VN: I would like to do my very best to show the greatest fight in this organization so that the fans of France would continue watching the MMA as well as the PFL fights.

DN: What is the secret of the Fedor team? The two last winners of the world tournament are members. Now you have your chance.

VN: The secret is very straightforward. It's our hard work as well as Fedor. Fedor is the one who plans for us, shows some important messages and tricks. So with this, the combination, that's what shows our success.