Has everything aligned for LI's Julius Anglickas in Bellator 268 title shot vs. Vadim Nemkov?

Julius Anglickas knows his mixed martial arts history.

He remembers how Daniel Cormier in 2011, then still an unbeaten prospect, entered the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix semifinals as an alternate for champion Alistair Overeem, beat Antonio Silva and Josh Barnett to win the whole tournament and jumpstarted one of the sport’s greatest careers in two weight classes.

Anglickas faces a similar grand prix opportunity this week, joining the Bellator light heavyweight tourney for Saturday’s semifinals at Bellator 268 in Phoenix after not being included in the original eight-man field.

"Everybody kept bringing up DC and how he won that tournament," Anglickas told Newsday this week. "So it’s almost like somehow part of me feels like I’m going to win just because of how everything has been aligning."

Anglickas (10-1), who was born in Lithuania and came to Long Island as a teen before settling in the St. Louis area after college, may be on a serendipitous journey, but it will have an added wrinkle. Anglickas is not replacing a champion — he’s fighting one.

Anglickas faces Vadim Nemkov (14-2) for the Bellator light heavyweight title in the main event Saturday. Although the bout is a tournament semifinal, any grand prix fight involving Bellator champion also is a title fight contest, meaning Nemkov’s belt will be up for grabs in addition to a berth in the final and the $1 million payday. (The winner will face the winner of Saturday's other semifinal between Ryan Bader and Corey Anderson.)

It’s a massive step up in competition for the Southampton High School alumnus, a step he says he did not lobby for even after a 3-0 start to his Bellator tenure, but one he now sees as coming at the perfect moment.

"I knew that since I'm doing well, my name would be put in the title talk within a year, maybe one or two more fights, so this definitely seemed a little bit quicker than what I expected," Anglickas said. "But at the same time, I think it was at the right enough time. I’m not too, too early. If it had been the first or second fight in Bellator, it would be like, ‘OK, what are we doing?’ But now I’ve had three good performances, and this is a moment where I’m still somewhat new of a guy, but the planets aligned in the perfect order to give me a shot."

Not that he'd ever have said no.

"This is definitely one of those moments where if I would not have taken it and someone else would have taken it and won or did well, it's like, 'Ah, it could have been me, I can't believe I wasted the opportunity,’" Anglickas said. "So I feel I'm deep enough in the game where I deserve the opportunity, even if it seems a little bit early. But that's all right. I'll see exactly where I stand with the champion, and we'll see how I do."

Anglickas expects to match up well with Nemkov, who he described as "dangerous in all positions" and a "full package."

Nemkov, who defeated Ryan Bader for the title and defended it against Phil Davis, said he didn’t change anything in his strategy after the opponent switch.

"I move fast, and I hit hard and I have my own personal style," Nemkov said through a translator. "I think [Anglickas’] strong side is wrestling, his physical ability, his breathing as well for three rounds. But this time we’re fighting five rounds, and I’m a different opponent, so I think he’ll have trouble."

A former collegiate wrestler, Anglickas may not be the flashiest fighter in Bellator, but he resents the notion from some that his fighting style isn’t pretty. He plans to focus on the basics against Nemkov and not worry about doing too much in the high-pressure situation.

"I just try to keep it simple, textbook, hands up. Technique always goes out, but always try to keep it what’s right and not make stuff up that has holes in it. And eventually, just pick apart opponents," Anglickas said. "I’m just happy to get the chance, because, I mean, it could have been anybody from the tournament, and now I get to fight for the title."