Bellator 268 headliner is Vadim Nemkov reigning Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion vs former LFA Light Heavyweight Champion Julius Anglickas.
Bellator card is way better than the UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs Dumont card. Bunch of high level best fighters in the world to watch but I always love writing about the upcoming fighters from all over the world.
Prelim fights are fire as well so definitely watch Bellator 268 beginning to end.
Jaleel Willis
First prospect listed and rising Bellator fighter Jaleel Willis back to back Bellator wins against Mark Lemminger and Maycon Mendonca. Two solid fighters that were newly signed by Bellator.
Willis former LFA Welterweight Champion wants to become a Bellator Welterweight Title challenger in 2021 as he’s ranked in the top ten right now.
“It’s going to end up being a slow smothering fight. Like, there are too many places where he’s just slick, to where if I get too excited or try to, you know, hop on something a little bit too quick, he can make you pay. He can definitely show up when it’s time to. So, to me, it’s just like, I’ve worked to fu*king hard for this guy to take what I’ve been working for. I got to tell myself just to slow it down, and I can beat him in any position. So I just have to focus on that right there. So, that’s the reason in my head; you’ll see a slow smothering fight. I just have to pick him apart.”
https://cagesidepress.com/2021/10/13/bellator-268s-jaleel-willis-sees-matchup-with-mukhamed-berkhamov-being-a-slow-smothering-fight-wants-logan-storley-after/
Bellator 268 fight is against Mukhamed Berkhamov. 14-1 ACA Welterweight. One of the best Welterweights in the world.
Tough test for Jaleel Willis but if he wants to fight the best of the best than this will definitely show good Willis potentially can be.
“The drive that I got is I’m still not in those rankings,” Willis told MMA Junkie Radio. “I still want to get back in there. I want to be more than just No. 10. I want to be more than just who this dude is at the edge of the rankings. I want people to know who the realest is. I want them to know who Jaleel Willis is, honestly.”
https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/jaleel-willis-driven-by-rankings-wants-logan-storley-after-bellator-268
Mukhamed Berkhamov
Before signing with Bellator was one of the best Welterweights the promotion ACA (Absolute Champioship Akhmat)
14-1 record wins against former Ulimtate Fighter Jesse Taylor who later on fought for Strikeforce, KSW, Cage Warriors. Competed on Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds Tournaments.
Trains at Sanford MMA down in South Florida with a full roster filled of champions, future champions and the best fighters in the world.
All-Around Welterweight reminds me of Vicente Luque because of his crafty boxing ability. See if Mukhamed has what it takes to beat a top ten Bellator welterweight.
Lance Gibson Jr.
Trained by his parents Lance Gibson and Julia Budd he’s becoming a rising prospect for the Bellator roster.
2-0 under Bellator and has a fight coming up against Raymond Pina who won his last fight at Combate 46.
Gibson keeps getting better with every fight. Crafty southpaw who will have a bright future with Bellator.
Watch out for Gibson Jr with rest of 2021 and 2022 will be a year where you see him fight top 15-top 20 Lightweights.
“Her time in Bellator came to an end and it is what it is,” Gibson told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Thursday’s Bellator 268 media day. “Now it’s my time to shine in Bellator and show why I’m going to be world champion. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be ranked in the top 10 after this fight with a phenomenal performance. Julia will go on with her career and finish it off and do her job.”
https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/10/bellator-268-lance-gibson-jr-show-why-going-world-champion-julia-budd
Jaylon Bates
“New Breed” nickname says it all. Next generation of MMA fighters and Scott Coker discovered Bates in the Amateur scene. Recognizing the talent right away.
Winning the FCFF Bantamweight Title against a undefeated amateur fighter Devon Jackson. Winning a Tuff-N-Uff Bantamweight title all lead to Coker making the deal happen.
Now the 24 year old Bantamweight is 3-0, 12-0 overall adding amateur. Moving to ATT Portland training with Brent Primus, Ricky Simon, Ed Herman.
Continuing to train in different locations as he train at Team Bodyshop MMA with AJ McKee and Joey Davis.
Yes he’s a very talented grappler but want to see the improvements in Bates striking versatility.
Everything goes right than Bates should be competing for a Bellator Bantamweight Title 2023 and he needs to least have average or above average striking to mix it up.
Billy's MMA Blog 