PFL Lyon Card Preview: Nemkov vs Ferreira, Cyborg Title Fight December 13th

 

On December 13th in Lyon, France, the League of Professional Fighters 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 takes on Sara Collins for the vacant PFL women’s featherweight crown. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Cyborg and Ferreira about their upcoming fights and future with the PFL.

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

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – OCTOBER 19: Renan Ferreira looks on prior to the world heavyweight title fight between Francis Nganna and Renan Ferreira as part of the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants card at Kingdom Arena on October 19, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

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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 worked a lot and I’m ready for this fight,” said Ferreira. “It’s a tough opponent, so we’re making it a tough camp.

Ferreira described Němkov as a complete fighter. “He’s a guy who brings speed, he brings a very strong strike volume and he’s a guy who’s shown that he’s good in all areas,” he explained. “He’s got a good exchange, a sharp exchange, he’s able to play the ground game very well, the grappling game, he’s got ground and pound, so he’s a very complete fighter.

When asked about his loss to Ngannou and his confidence rating going into the rematch, Ferreira said, “I would definitely say it’s a 10. I feel like the main mistake was that I went overboard. I was a little too greedy with my shots and that cost me in the end.”

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

Huntington Beach, CA – September 20: Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg during an open workout in Huntington Beach ahead of her title defense against Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 on October 4 in San Diego. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

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

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

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 on Saturday, December 13 at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. The main card begins at 11:00 a.m. ET and is streaming exclusively on ESPN Unlimited in the United States.

The first half of December will be packed with hunting sports. PFL Lyon figures to fit well into the year-end schedule. As we say goodbye to 2025, watch MMA and boxing coverage.