Ex-Champ Liam McGeary to Face Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 194 on Feb. 16

Former light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary will meet Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 194.

A promotion official confirmed the pairing with Sherdog.com following an initial report from Tass.ru. Bellator 194 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Feb. 16 and is headlined by a heavyweight grand prix matchup pitting Matt Mitrione against Roy Nelson. The main card will air on the Paramount Network.

McGeary has split a pair of bouts since relinquishing the light heavyweight title in a five-round decision to Phil Davis in November 2016. He began his 2017 campaign with a second-round technical knockout of Brett McDermott at Bellator 173 in February before falling to Linton Vassell via third-round submission at Bellator 179 in May. The 35-year-old Englishman kicked off his career with 11 consecutive triumphs.

Nemkov was victorious in his first promotional foray, as he knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round at Bellator 182 on Aug. 25. The 25-year-old Russian prospect owns an 8-2 career mark, with all of his victories coming inside the distance.