Benson Henderson kicking Andrey Koreshkov (photo via Bellator)

By press release

The highly anticipated BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Semifinals event has become even more stacked, adding a 155-pound bout between two former world champions when No. 3 ranked lightweight Benson Henderson (28-10) squares up against Brent Primus (10-2). In addition, a featherweight battle pitting Henry Corrales (18-6) against Vladyslav Parubchenko (16-2) is set to kick off the main card action on SHOWTIME live Saturday, October 16 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Both semifinal matchups for the BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix will top the card at the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. Light heavyweight World Champion Vadim Nemkov (14-2) defends his world championship against No. 4 ranked Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (23-6), while current BELLATOR Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader (28-6) faces No. 2-ranked light heavyweight Corey Anderson (15-5) in the co-main event.

Several new preliminary fights have been confirmed as well and are listed below. The preliminary card will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Former champions collide in the desert, as former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson squares off with former BELLATOR lightweight champion Brent Primus in a 155-pound bout that is sure to produce fireworks. Both men hold black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and have the capability to finish a fight no matter where it goes. Fighting out of Glendale, AZ., “Smooth” Benson Henderson fights on his home turf but has a tough test in a Primus who is eager to return to the top of the mountain at 155-pounds.

Hard-hitting Henry Corrales reintroduces himself to the featherweight ranks, taking on submission guru Vladyslav Parubchenko in the opening bout of the main card. With 13 of his 18 professional victories coming by way of finish, “OK” Corrales steps in the cage with another known finisher, as Parubchenko has finished 14 of his 16 victories with stoppages. Both fighters are in the mix within a stacked BELLATOR featherweight division, and with a win, either fighter could find themselves making an immediate impact on the 145-pound rankings.

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events

Sat. Sept. 18 // BELLATOR 266: Davis vs. Romero // SAP Center // San Jose, CA

Fri. Oct. 1 // BELLATOR 267: Lima vs. MVP 2 // The SSE Arena, Wembley // London, England

Sat. Oct. 16 // BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals // Footprint Center // Phoenix, AZ

Sat. Oct. 23 // BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson // VTB Arena // Moscow, Russia

Fri. Nov. 5 // BELLATOR 270: Gallagher vs. Mix // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland

BELLATOR 268: Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinals Main Card:

SHOWTIME

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Light Heavyweight World Title Main Event: C-Vadim Nemkov (14-2) vs. #4-Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (23-6)

Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semifinal Bout: #1-Ryan Bader (28-6, 1 NC) vs. #2-Corey Anderson (15-5)

Lightweight Bout: #3-Benson Henderson (28-10) vs. Brent Primus (10-2)

Featherweight Bout: Henry Corrales (18-6) vs. Vladyslav Parubchenko (16-2)

Preliminary Card:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV

7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT

Light Heavyweight Bout: #5-Julias Anglickas (10-1) vs. #10-Karl Albrektsson (12-3)

Bantamweight Bout: Erik Perez (20-8) vs. Brett Johns (17-3)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Sullivan Cauley (1-0) vs. Deon Clash (1-0)

Lightweight Bout: Nick Browne (11-1) vs. Bobby Lee (12-6)

Middleweight Bout: Javier Torres (11-5, 1 NC) vs. Gregory Milliard (12-6)

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Sumiko Inaba (2-0) vs. Randi Field (2-0)

Lightweight Bout: Lance Gibson Jr. (4-0) vs. Raymond Pina (9-4)

Amateur Strawweight Bout: Maria Henderson (1-0) vs. Collette Santiago (0-1)

*Card subject to change.