Phil Davis vs. Vadim Nemkov booked for Nov. 15 Bellator show in Israel

Former Bellator titleholder Phil Davis will face off with a fighter many have billed as a future contender.

Davis meets Vadim Nemkov in the co-main event of a Nov. 15 Bellator event set to take place at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel. MMA Fighting confirmed the bout with officials following an initial report by MMAjunkie.

Since jumping from the UFC to Bellator in September 2015, Davis (19-4, 1 NC) has gone 6-1. He captured the promotion’s light heavyweight title at Bellator 163, but lost it in his first defense in a rematch against Ryan Bader at Bellator 180. “Mr. Wonderful” has won his last two fights, including a spectacular head kick knockout of Linton Vassell in May.

Nemkov (9-2) is a highly regarded training partner of heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko. The 26-year-old is unbeaten in two Bellator appearances, with knockout wins over former champion Liam McGeary and Philipe Lins. He is currently on a four-fight win streak.

Also added to the Nov. 15 show is a welterweight rematch between Ryan Couture (11-6) and Israel’s own Haim Gozali (8-5). The two first fought at Bellator 180 in New York, a bout that Couture won by unanimous decision. Now Gozali gets a chance to run it back in front of his home crowd.

Bellator’s return to Israel will be headlined by a featherweight title defense as champion Patricio Freire takes on Emmanuel Sanchez.