PHOENIX – [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] is still the light heavyweight champion.
At Bellator 268, Nemkov (14-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) defeated tournament alternate Julius Anglickas (10-2 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) via submission (kimura) at 4:25 of Round 1.
The event took place Saturday at Footprint Center. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Heavy blows were exchanged in the form of stiff jabs early on, but it was Anglickas who landed the first massive punch. As the two threw, Anglickas blasted Nemkov with a punch that dropped the Russian champion. Nemkov quickly bounced up and secured a takedown. Anglickas worked his way to the feet where the two exchanged for the remainder of the round. Nemkov clocked Anglickas with a rattling shot just before the round ended.
In Round 2, both men again came out heavy. After some striking exchanges, Nemkov tossed Anglickas to the canvas and worked from side control. Anglickas pushed Nemkov into guard. From there, Nemkov landed nasty ground-and-pound – and things got messy. Elbows started it off and the punches followed. Anglickas tried to avoid the damage but was unable. The end of the round saved him, however, as bot fighters rose to their feet covered in blood.
💪 @VadimNemkov is feeling strong in round 2️⃣.
Don't miss the #Bellator268 main event LIVE on @SHOSports.👇
📺 https://t.co/RNtauZGbbQ#BellatorLHWGP pic.twitter.com/knQ6O9tH5o— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) October 17, 2021
The cutman did a good job in between rounds to stop the bleeding on Anglickas’ head. Nemkov returned to action to the ground almost immediately in Round 3. After some blocked punches, Nemkov passed to side control. Anglickas once again pushed Nemkov into side control. Nemkov worked for an armbar. Multiple tries were fended off by Anglickas – including one at the end-of-horn buzzer.
💪 @VadimNemkov comes away with the win and keeps his LHW title at #Bellator268.#BellatorLHWGP pic.twitter.com/i7wsz28CyV
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) October 17, 2021
Round 4 was more of the same. Nemkov scored another takedown and Anglickas’ forehead was met with intermittent punches. Nemkov trapped Anglickas’ arm in the crucifix, but Anglickas rolled out. A straight armbar attempt from Nemkov failed. Nemkov then went for a kimura. The crank was quick and decisive. Anglickas tapped and that was all that was written.
With the win, Nemkov successfully defends his title for the second time and advances to the $1 million grand prix final where he will face Corey Anderson, who defeated Ryan Bader by 51-second TKO earlier on the card.
Check out the full Bellator 268 results below:
- Champ Vadim Nemkov def. Julius Anglickas via submission (kimura) – Round 4, 4:25 – for light heavyweight title; light heavyweight tournament semifinal
- Corey Anderson def. Ryan Bader via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:51 – light heavyweight tournament semifinal
- Brent Primus def. Benson Henderson via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Henry Corrales def. Vladyslav Parubchenko via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Karl Albrektsson def. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mukhamed Berkhamov def. Jaleel Willis via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:05
- Nick Browne def. Bobby Lee via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 1:38
- Javier Torres def. Gregory Milliard via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Sumiko Inaba def. Randi Field via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:02
- Lance Gibson Jr. def. Raymond Pina via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:44
- Jaylon Bates def. Raphael Montini via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:49
- Sullivan Cauley def. Deon Clash via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
- Maria Henderson def. Collette Santiago via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:40
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