Viktor Nemkov

Viktor Alexandrovich Nemkov (; born January 26, 1987) is a Russian sambist, judoka competitor and mixed martial artist. Nemkov won the 2011 World Sambo Championships in Combat Sambo. He is the older brother of Vadim Nemkov.

Mixed martial arts career

Background Viktor Nemkov was born in a small village in Zhalgyskan, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union, now modern-Kazakhstan. In 1999 the family moved to the village Tomarovka, Belgorod Oblast. There, Nemkov began to train in Judo.

Having spent some successful tournaments, Nemkov became a "Master of Sport in Judo."

Nemkov was the 2008 Russian Combat Sambo bronze medalist in the 90 kg weight category and the 2009 World Cup champion.

Nemkov trains at the Red Devil Sport Club; a training facility and team strongly linked with the M-1 Global promotion and Fedor Emelianenko.

M-1 Global

Nemkov began his professional mixed martial arts career with a loss to Magomed Sultanakhmedov via TKO, but quickly rebounded against newcomer Christian Bombay. Nemkov was able to secure a triangle choke on Bombay early in the first round to claim his first victory.

Nemkov's toughest challenge at that point came against the vastly experienced Tony Lopez in South Korea. Lopez' experience was perhaps too great, as he walked away with a submission victory via rear naked choke in the second round, handing Nemkov his second career loss.

Nemkov then signed to fight Khanilav Khanilaev at the M-1 2009 Finals. Nemkov went onto suffer his third career defeat, losing via split decision. Nemkov would bounce back with a victory over Shamil Vajsurov who, going into the fight, had a record of 0–1.

In August 2010, Nemkov was reportedly scouted by World Wrestling Entertainment - whilst on a tour of Russia - who wanted to sign him as a professional wrestler.

In April 2011, Nemkov fought Vinny Magalhaes for the vacant M-1 Global Light Heavyweight title. Early on, Magalhaes looked for a takedown, but it was Nemkov who was able to secure top position early on. From there, Nemkov had to defend against multiple submission attempts, including an omoplata which seemed to be almost locked in. In the playoffs he faced Bozigit Ataev at PFL 9, which ended in a majority draw leading to Ataev advancing to the semifinals.

Bellator MMA On September 1, 2020, it was announced that Nemkov had signed a contract with Bellator MMA.

Nemkov made his Bellator debut at Bellator 257 on April 16, 2021, against Karl Albrektsson. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Nemkov faced Leonardo Guimarães on December 19, 2021, at Open Fighting Championship 15. He won via unanimous decision.

Nemkov was scheduled to face José Augusto Azevedo on July 22, 2022, at Bellator 283. However, due to an injury to Nemkov, the bout was scrapped.

Submission grappling career Nemkov faced Ronny Markes at ADXC 10 on May 31, 2025. He lost the match by decision.

Championships and accomplishments M-1 Global M-1 Light Heavyweight Championship (2 Times)

Sambo All-Russian Sambo Federation Russian Combat Sambo National Championships 8nd Place (2010)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Khadis Ibragimov Decision (unanimous) Sokol 2

Moscow, Russia Win

Júnior Albini TKO (punches) Sokol 1

Krasnodar, Russia Loss

Khadis Ibragimov Decision (split) Nashe Delo 86

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Shamil Gamzatov Decision (unanimous) Nashe Delo 84

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Khusein Adamov KO (knee) Nashe Delo 82

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Stepan Gorshechnikov Submission (rear-naked choke) Kuzbass MMA Federation: ASI Championship 6

Kemerovo, Russia Win

Leonardo Augusto Guimarães Decision (unanimous) Open Fighting Championship 15

Moscow, Russia Loss

Karl Albrektsson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 257

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Draw

Bozigit Ataev Draw (majority) PFL 9 (2019)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rashid Yusupov Decision (split) PFL 6 (2019)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Rakim Cleveland Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2019)

Uniondale, New York, United States Win

Sergio Souza Submission (choke) Club Alexander: The Don Battle

Voronezh, Russia Loss

Klidson Abreu Submission (rear-naked choke) RCC 3

Yekaterinburg, Russia Win

Ronny Markes Submission (guillotine choke) M-1 Challenge 77

Sochi, Russia Win

Attila Végh Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 71: Nemkov vs. Vegh

Saint Petersburg, Russia Loss

Rashid Yusupov Decision (split) M-1 Challenge 66

Orenburg, Russia Win

Stephan Puetz Decision (majority) M-1 Challenge 63

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Maro Perak Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge 60: Battle in Orel

Oryol, Russia Win

Florian Martin Submission (rear naked choke) M-1 Global: Steel Battle 2

Stary Oskol, Russia Win

Beksot Jiyanov TKO (punches) M-1 Global: Steel Battle

Stary Oskol, Russia Loss

Stephan Puetz Decision (split) M-1 Challenge 46

St. Petersburg, Russia Lost the M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Championship. Win

Vasiliy Babich Submission (armbar) M-1 Challenge 43

Surgut, Russia Won the vacant M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Championship. Win

Maciej Browarski Decision (unanimous) Liberation Cup 2013

Belgorod, Russia Win

Reinaldo da Silva Submission (achilles lock) M-1 Challenge 40

Ingushetia, Russia Win

Gadzhimurad Antigulov Submission (guillotine choke) M-1 Challenge 36

Mytishchi, Russia Win

Baga Agaev Submission (guillotine choke) S-70: Plotforma Cup 2012

Moscow, Russia Win

Khadzhimurat Kamilov Submission (armbar) S-70: Russian Grand Prix 2011 (Stage 4)

Moscow, Russia Win

Abdul-Kerim Edilov Decision (unanimous) S-70: Russian Grand Prix 2011 (Stage 3)

Moscow, Russia Win

Chuck Grigsby KO (punch) S-70: Plotforma Cup 2011

Sochi, Russia Loss

Vinny Magalhães Submission (gogoplata neck crank) M-1 Challenge 25

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Vitaly Smirnov Decision (unanimous) Voronezh Interregional 2011

Voronezh, Russia Win

Daniel Viscaya Submission (triangle choke) M-1 Challenge 22

Moscow, Russia Win

Vasily Klepikov Submission (arm-triangle choke) M-1 Mix Fighter: Season 1 - Stage 2

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Artur Korchemny Submission (arm-triangle choke) M-1 Mix Fighter: Season 1 - Stage 1

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Rashid Magomedov KO (punches) Lipetsk Mixfight Cup 3

Lipetsk, Russia Win

Shamil Vajsurov Decision (unanimous) M-1 Selection 2010: Eastern Europe Round 2

Kyiv, Ukraine Loss

Khanilav Khanilaev Decision (split) M-1 Challenge: 2009 Selections 9

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Ramazan Rezvanov Submission (triangle choke) M-1 Challenge: 2009 Selections 8

Kyiv, Ukraine Win

Rasul Magomedaliev Submission (triangle choke) M-1 Challenge: 2009 Selections 6

Makhachkala, Russia Loss

Tony Lopez Submission (rear-naked choke) M-1 Challenge 17: Korea

Seoul, South Korea Win

Ilya Malyukov Decision (unanimous) M-1 Challenge: 2009 Selections 3

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Ishkhan Zakharian TKO (corner stoppage) M-1 Challenge: 2009 Selections 1

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Magomed Umarov Decision (unanimous) ProFC 3: Heavyweight Grand Prix 2008

Rostov-on-Don, Russia Win

Sergey Khramov Decision (unanimous) M-1: Emelianenko Cup 2008

Saint Petersburg, Russia Win

Christian Bombay Technical Submission (triangle choke) M-1 Challenge 2: Russia

Saint Petersburg, Russia Loss

Magomed Sultanakhmedov TKO (punches) RZP: Profi Mix Fight 2

Nizhny Novgorod, Russia