Nemkov beats Davis to retain Bellator light heavyweight title

Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov left no doubt in his rematch with Phil Davis.

Nemkov defeated Davis via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to retain the 205-pound title in the Bellator 257 main event Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Nemkov beat Davis by split decision the first time they met in 2018.

With the victory, Nemkov advances to the semifinals of the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix and will face the winner of Anthony Johnson versus Yoel Romero, which takes place May 7.

Nemkov stayed more active than Davis in the striking department and landed cleaner shots throughout the five-round contest. Davis became more urgent as the fight progressed, but he struggled to connect with meaningful offense thanks to Nemkov's movement.

The biggest moment of the fight came in the second round when Nemkov dropped Davis with a punch and then briefly tried to submit him with a guillotine. Davis survived until the end of the fight, but ultimately Nemkov's hand was raised.

Nemkov successfully defended his light heavyweight title for the first time Friday, and also extended his winning streak to eight. The 28-year-old captured the belt last summer with a TKO win over Ryan Bader, who currently holds the heavyweight strap.

Davis, a former Bellator champion and UFC contender, saw his three-fight winning streak snapped.