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FOOTPRINT CENTER, PHOENIX, AZ – Bellator returns with another great fight card that will once again steal some eyeballs and headlines away from the UFC, who are putting out one of their least noteworthy cards ever. For Bellator, the main card features huge implications in the main and co-main events with berths to the Bellator Light-Heavyweight Grand Prix up for grabs.
.@BellatorMMA light heavyweight gold is on the line 🏆#Bellator268 TOMORROW 10PM ET/7PM PT on @Showtime: https://t.co/onW5q9Kzk8. pic.twitter.com/6c1OfJMlzx
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) October 15, 2021
-600 Vadim Nemkov (14-2: 9 KOs, 2 SUBs) vs. +410 Julius Anglickas (10-1: 3 KOs, 4 SUBs)
Former World Combat Sambo champion Vadim Nemkov is on a eight-fight win streak and his only two career losses have come from formidable competition including a loss to highly-touted UFC light-heavyweight Jiri Prochazka. Nemkov’s opponent, Julius Anglickas, is a tough Lithuanian transplant (Long Island, NY) who has a well-rounded game, but is Anglickas skilled enough to compete with the athletic, strong and dynamic Nemkov? It will be an awesome main event battle that determines who receives a chance to fight in the $1 million final. The striking and grappling tools heavily favor Nemkov, but Anglickas will give him a run for his money by pushing the Russian superstar to only his third decision.
Selection: Nemkov via Decision
-190 Corey Anderson (15-5: 7 KOs) vs. +150 Ryan Bader (28-6: 12 KOs, 3 SUBs)
This is a great fight between two talented fighters and two former UFC contenders that have found more success since they left for Bellator. Skill wise, I consider Cory Anderson one of the most fundamental fighters around. Anderson can have solid success wherever the fight goes. He’s shown flashes of power and a strong wrestling game, but I think Ryan Bader, a former Bellator two-division champion will have the edge here. Bader has a little more mustard on his punches and will use his ASU wrestling credentials to keep the fight on the feet.
Selection: Bader via TKO /U 2.5 rounds
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-125 Benson Henderson (28-10: 5 KOs, 9 SUBs) vs. +100 Brent Primus (10-2: 2 KOS, 6 SUBs)
A former UFC lightweight champion, Benson Henderson, is a true professional and a lifelong martial artist. He possesses all the tools to beat Brent Primus. The only flaw in Henderson’s toolbox has been a rare lapse in focus. Primus is no slouch and is a very game fighter and will try to capitalize on this opportunity to put away one of the biggest names on the Bellator roster. These guys have the same attributes: strong wrestling, black belt jiu-jitsu and a growing striking tree, but I think Primus will be a little caught off guard as Henderson will get up early on the scorecards and then coast to a victory. Henderson has cashed many paychecks by shaking off desperate wrestling attempts and by keeping the fight at his range.
Selection: Henderson via Decision
-140 Henry Corrales (18-6: 7 KOs, 6 SUBs) vs. +112 Vladyslav Parubchenko (16-2: 3 KOs, 11 SUBs)
Henry Corrales should get the win here plain and simple. He has the experience and gutsiness to win a violent chess match against Vladyslav Parubchenko. The Ukrainian has an extensive grappling background with sambo being his best discipline. Parubchenko has translated very well into MMA, winning 69% of his fights via submission. Quite impressive. But, I think Corales, who is hot off a submission loss will be wiser when this fight hits the floor. But ultimately, the highly-technical grappling specialist, Parubchenko, will add another win to his record.
Selection: Parubchenko via Submission O/ 1.5 rounds
Stay tuned for the combat sports weekend recap on Monday right here on NBC Sports Edge!
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