Preview: Bellator 268 ‘Nemkov vs. Anglickas’

Light Heavyweight

Karl Albrektsson (12-3, 1-1 Bellator) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (18-6-1, 0-1 Bellator)

ODDS: Albrektsson (-160), Yagshimuradov (+140)

Should misfortune befall one of the remaining competitors in the light heavyweight grand prix, the Yagshimuradov-Albrektsson winner should be next in line as a replacement. Yagshimuradov came up short in his first opportunity in the bracket, losing to Corey Anderson via third-round technical knockout in the quarterfinals. The former Absolute Championship Akhmat title holder was gradually worn down by Anderson, eventually succumbing to multiple takedowns and powerful ground-and-pound at the 2:15 mark of Round 3. That ended an eight-bout winning streak for the 32-year-old Turkmenistan native, who had been rolling through opposition on the regional scene.

Yagshimuradov’s low-output tendencies hurt him against Anderson, and he generally tends to favor a counterstriking approach that sometimes finds him backing into the fence while looking for the perfect opportunity to land. For a man his size, Yagshimuradov has deceptive quickness and will occasionally unleash a flashy spinning kick. The former ACA champ boasts a sambo background and seems to prefer finishing his takedowns once he secures his opposition in a bodylock. On the floor, he’ll use ground-and-pound to create openings for submissions.

Albrektsson, who boasts the likes of Alexander Gustafsson and Khamzat Chimaev as training partners, signed with Bellator as something of a highly-touted prospect. His record includes a split-decision verdict over reigning Bellator champ Vadim Nemkov and a near-finish of UFC contender Jiri Prochazka (Albrektsson ultimately lost via TKO) — both under the Rizin banner. His Bellator debut wasn’t especially impressive, as he was handled rather easily by Phil Davis in October 2019, but he has rebounded to win three straight, including a unanimous decision over Viktor Nemkov within the California-based promotion.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt who has a background in boxing and kickboxing, Albrektsson is well-rounded. He was able to grind out a victory over Nemkov in a grappling-heavy affair, and a burst of ground-and-pound nearly finished Prochazka before his Czech opponent rallied for a finish. In general, the Swede has good timing on his level changes and is adept at working his way into the clinch for trips and sweeps. At range, he displays solid head movement and footwork while throwing punching combinations and the occasional kick.

This has all the makings of a competitive bout, but Albrektsson has fought overall better competition over the course of his career and is more likely to initiate offense while Yagshimuradov waits for the perfect opportunity, which will curry favor with the judges.

THE PICK: Albrektsson by decision.