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Vadim Nemkov defeated Renan Ferreira with style on Saturday, the 13th of December, and it was not long before Francis Ngannou reacted to the Russian fighter's victory in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) MMA.

Arguably one of the best fighters outside the UFC, Nemkov has beaten top tier fighters like Phil Davis (twice), Ryan Bader for the Bellator light heavyweight title, and Yoel Romero. Since Bellator merged with PFL, Nemkov transitioned to heavyweight, won twice, and fought for the third time in the division, and for the PFL, in Lyon, and submitted Ferreira in the opening round with an arm triangle choke submission.

It was a considerable statement of intent from Nemkov as Ngannou had previously defeated Ferriera in the first round, too, and possibly sets the two fighters on a collision course in 2026, before the former UFC heavyweight king enters free agency. Nemkov even had a message for Ngannou after his latest win, and it was not long before the Cameroon star responded.

Francis Ngannou Reacts to Vadim Nemkov's Call-Out

Ngannou had two fights in boxing after he left the UFC, dropping Tyson Fury en route to a 10-round defeat by decision, before getting blasted to the floor multiple times by Anthony Joshua, who finished him in just two rounds. Ngannou then returned to MMA, annihilated Ferreira, and, after being told by UFC boss Dana White he'll never return to the MMA market-leader, may have just found his next big bout.

Following Nemkov's win, and his subsequent call-out of Ngannou, whom he challenged to a fist-fight next, The Predator took to X to issue his response.

"I been ready for a long time. See you soon."

Fighting Nemkov Could be Ngannou's Final PFL MMA Appearance

This marries with what PFL executive John Martin had said earlier in the week, when he remarked that the organization had something special lined up for Ngannou in 2026.

Staying realistic, there is very little PFL can offer that is more special than the opportunity staring them in the face right now — a super-fight involving the returning king Ngannou, and the new titleholder in Nemkov.

If and when this fight materializes, it will likely be the last time Ngannou competes in PFL before he enters free agency and can take part in more boxing bouts, or even test the waters in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.