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Bellator 268 predictions: Are we picking Vadim Nemkov to retain his title?

Nemkov
vs.
Anglickas
Bader
vs.
Anderson
Henderson
vs.
Primus
Corrales
vs.
Parubchenko
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 161-94
nemkov2021
Nemkov
(81%)
bader2021
Bader
(64%)
primus2021
Primus
(55%)
corrales2021
Corrales
(53%)
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 166-89
nemkov2021
Nemkov
anderson2021
Anderson
primus2021
Primus
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 163-92
nemkov2021
Nemkov
bader2021
Bader
henderson2021
Henderson
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 159-96
nemkov2021
Nemkov
anderson2021
Anderson
henderson2021
Henderson
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 157-98
nemkov2021
Nemkov
bader2021
Bader
henderson2021
Henderson
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 155-100
trophy copy 2020 Champion
nemkov2021
Nemkov
anderson2021
Anderson
henderson2021
Henderson
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 155-100
trophy copy 2014 Champion
nemkov2021
Nemkov
bader2021
Bader
primus2021
Primus
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 155-100
trophy copy 2018 Champion
nemkov2021
Nemkov
bader2021
Bader
primus2021
Primus
corrales2021
Corrales
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 150-105
trophy copy 2017 Champion
nemkov2021
Nemkov
anderson2021
Anderson
henderson2021
Henderson
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 149-106
nemkov2021
Nemkov
bader2021
Bader
primus2021
Primus
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 147-108
nemkov2021
Nemkov
bader2021
Bader
henderson2021
Henderson
corrales2021
Corrales
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 147-108
nemkov2021
Nemkov
anderson2021
Anderson
henderson2021
Henderson
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 145-110
nemkov2021
Nemkov
bader2021
Bader
primus2021
Primus
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
2021: 85-54
nemkov2021
Nemkov
anderson2021
Anderson
henderson2021
Henderson
parubchenko2021
Parubchenko

Bellator is back Stateside this week with the continuation of its light heavyweight tournament.

Bellator 268 takes place Saturday at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov (14-2 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) puts his title on the line against Julius Anglickas (10-1 MMA, 3-0 BMMA). The fight also is one of two tournament semifinals. Nemkov is a -600 favorite at Tipico; the comeback on Anglickas is +400. Not surprisingly, Nemkov is our only unanimous pick from our 13 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers at 13-0.

In the co-feature, former light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader (28-6 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) takes on Corey Anderson (15-5 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) in the other tournament semifinal. Anderson is a -200 favorite, but it’s Bader with the smallest possible picks edge at 7-6.

Also on the main card, former UFC and WEC lightweight champ Benson Henderson (28-10 MMA, 5-5 BMMA) meets former Bellator champ Brent Primus (10-2 MMA, 8-2 BMMA). Henderson is a -130 favorite, and he has a small 8-5 lead in the picks.

And to open the main card, Henry Corrales (18-6 MMA, 6-6 BMMA) fights Vladyslav Parubchenko (16-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) at featherweight. Corrales is a -150 betting favorite, but it’s Parubchenko with a big 11-2 lead in the picks from our staff members.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Nemkov (81 percent), Bader (64 percent), Primus (55 percent) and Corrales (53 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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