Ryan Bader News

Tom Taylor - October 14, 2018

Over the weekend, Ryan Bader and Fedor Emelianenko both won their Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix semifinal bouts, defeating Matt Mitrione and Chael Sonnen respectively. With these wins, the pair will now fight each other sometime in the new year, and the winner will be crowned the Bellator heavyweight champion. For Ryan Bader, the chance to fight the legendary Fedor Emelianenko is obviously an exciting opportunity. Yet while he admits it’s a little surreal to fight such an icon of the sport, he assures he’s approaching it like any other fight.

Tom Taylor - October 14, 2018

On Friday night, in the main event of Bellator 207, Bellator light heavyweight champ Ryan Bader advanced to the finals of the promotion’s exciting Heavyweight Grand Prix with a win over Matt Mitrione. While Bader has looked pretty much unstoppable since joining the Bellator roster — in two divisions at that — he still regrets the fact that he never got the chance to fight UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier during his time as a UFC fighter. “I do think about that,” Bader told the media after Bellator 207 (via MMAjunkie). “We all are, ‘Woulda, coulda, shoulda.’ A big reason for me to come over is I believe I was the best in the world and never got the opportunity to show it [in the UFC]. Over here I did. It’s always there. I’m a competitor, I want to be the best in the world, not, ‘Oh yeah, but there’s another organization.’ Taking nothing away from him. He’s a dominant champion. He’s one of the best to ever do it. Of course I want it. But will that ever happen? No.”

Tom Taylor - June 4, 2018

On July 7, in the main event of the absurdly stacked UFC 226, UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will attempt to defend his title against a beefed-up version of UFC light Daniel Cormier. In anticipation of this momentous challenge, Miocic has called on Ryan Bader to help him prepare. Bader, of course, is a very interesting training partner for Miocic. First and foremost, he is a big, powerful wrestler with wicked punching power, like Cormier. Secondly, as the Bellator light heavyweight champion and an entrant in Bellator’s Heavyweight Grand Prix, he’s also light heavyweight champion vying for a heavyweight title — just like Cormier.

Tom Taylor - May 17, 2018

Last weekend, Bellator MMA touched down in San Jose, California with the stacked Bellator 199 card. In the main event of this anticipated card, reigning Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader knocked out former Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix winner Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in just 15 seconds. With this win, Bader advanced to the second round of Bellator’s Heavyweight Grand Prix, which sets him up for a showdown with fellow first-round winner Matt Mitrione.

Drake Riggs - March 26, 2018

One of the more underrated light heavyweight competitors of the last decade has been the winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 8 and current Bellator 205-pound champion, Ryan ‘Darth’ Bader. Bader has fought practically his entire MMA career in the UFC but has recently ventured over to Bellator where he’s had nothing but success. That’s not to say he didn’t find success in the UFC either though as he amassed a record of 15-5 with the organization before they decided to let him walk as a free agent. Including Bellator and UFC, better has won nine of his last ten fights.

Tom Taylor - November 2, 2017

Tomorrow night, in the main event of the exciting Bellator 186 card, Bellator light heavyweight champ Ryan Bader will attempt to defend his title opposite the dangerous Linton Vassell. While this test is at the forefront of the champ’s mind, he’s also interested in partaking in a much-discussed Bellator heavyweight title tournament. “I would definitely like to throw my hat in the ring with that and see where it goes,” Bader told MMAjunkie. “That’s one thing that intrigued me about coming to Bellator was those different opportunities.”

Chris Taylor - June 24, 2017

Bellator NYC Results: Ryan Bader vs. Phil Davis A light heavyweight title fight served as the featured bout of tonight’s “Bellator NYC” prelims in New York as current 205-pound champion Phil Davis took on top contender Ryan Bader.

bjpenndotcom - May 8, 2017

Bader will make his Bellator debut versus Light Heavyweight Champion Phil Davis at Bellator 180. On this episode of American Animals, the Animals are back in the studio, and here to rock your week! Erik Apple and TJ De Santis are here to discuss the biggest and best news in all of MMA. The guys tell us about some of the biggest upcoming matches this summer, as well as the rumors swirling around a possible return for Georges St. Pierre at UFC 213 in New York. Plus, the guys discuss Vitor Belfort’s retirement fight versus Nate Marquardt at UFC 212 in Brazil, Michael Bisping’s choice words for Belfort and Marquardt, and Cris Cyborg appears to have a willing opponent in Invicta FC Champion, Megan Anderson, for UFC 214.

Tom Taylor - March 21, 2017

Earlier this week, we learned that long-time UFC light heavyweight contender and TUF season eight winner Ryan Bader had signed with Bellator MMA. The dangerous light heavyweight talent has wasted no time in attempting to book his first fight with the organization, calling out the light heavyweight champ Phil Davis for a fight at Bellator 180 this June 24 in New York City. Luckily for him, Davis seems all for it.

Russell Ess - March 20, 2017

Another top fighter has left the UFC and has signed with Bellator MMA. UFC light heavyweight veteran Ryan Bader who was recently ranked #5 on the official UFC rankings announced on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour that he has signed with Bellator MMA.

Tom Taylor - December 7, 2016

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader wrapped up his latest UFC contract in the best way possible, scoring impressive stoppages over Ilir Latifi and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. With these wins, which reaffirmed his status as one of the world’s top light heavyweights, Bader made himself a valuable commodity not only in the eyes of the UFC, but also in the eyes of other top promotions like Bellator and Rizin Fighting Federation. On the most recent episode of Submission Radio, Bader gave an update on his current situation. The light heavyweight explained that he’s still in the earliest stages of his free agency.

Tom Taylor - November 20, 2016

https://youtu.be/NlWM-TB2tDM Last night (Saturday, November 19) the UFC returned to sun soaked Sao Paulo, Brazil with UFC Fight Night 100.

bjpenndotcom - September 3, 2016

Here's that knee landed by @ryanbader!! Wow!! #UFCHamburg @aaronsimpson pic.twitter.com/nyGhqvTZiW — #Dizz © (@TalkMMA) September 3, 2016

bjpenndotcom - September 3, 2016

On the night going into Ryan Bader’s headlining main event against Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson, Bader was riding an impressive five fight win streak, the kind of win streaks that usually lead to title fights. And with victories over Rashad Evans, Ovince Saint Preux and Phil Davis during that five fight span of dominance, a chance at light heavyweight gold seemed imminent. ‘Rumble’ flipped the script with a quick knockout after making Bader pay for a half-hearted takedown attempt. 1:26 minutes into the first round was all it took for his five fight win streak to officially bottom out, leaving Bader right where he started.

Russell Ess - February 1, 2016

It was a tough pill to swallow for Ryan Bader. After campaigning hard for a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title on a five-fight win streak, Bader was put to the test before getting a title fight and met the hard-hitting Anthony Johnson in the main event of UFC on FOX 18 on Saturday night. After a failed shot in for a takedown by Bader, Johnson was able to control Bader on the ground and secured the mount position and poured on heavy shots causing referee Keith Peterson to stop the bout at 1:26 of the opening round.

bjpenndotcom - February 1, 2016

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3pem78_ryan-baders-final-preparation-for-anthony-johnson_sport Ryan Bader came up short in his main-event LHW clash of contenders when Anthony “Rumble” Johnson came in like a freight-train and put the hurt on Bader capping off the night with a first round KO.