Cheick Kongo and Ryan Bader get heated over potential title fight

When Cheick Kongo handed former Bellator champ Vitaly Minakov his first loss on the main card of Bellator 216 on Saturday night, he earned himself a shot a reigning Bellator heavyweight champ Ryan Bader.

He did not hesitate to call Bader out at the Bellator 216 post-fight press conference.

“I had a great performance and I just beat the undefeated (former) champion, Vitaly Minakov,” he said after the fight (via MMAjunkie). “So the question is: Where’s my belt? Somebody used to hold my belt. The belt wasn’t made with heavyweights, but just light heavyweights.

“So I want to say something clear: Ryan, wherever you are, just come to give me the belt so I can make it easy for you. If not, I will f*** you up,” Kongo continued.

“I’m just a little bit tired and just frustrated. Today, (Bellator President Scott Coker) is (saying I’m the No. 1 contender). But four years ago, when I used to perform at the same time, I didn’t get the time so the title needs to be vacant. And Bader, just come, please, or I will f*** you up for real.”

It did not take long for Ryan Bader, who also owns the Bellator light heavyweight strap, to respond to these comments from Cheick Kongo.

“Hey congrats @kongo4real but you talk like that after that performance?” Bader wrote on Twitter. “There is a reason you weren’t invited into the Heavyweight Grand Prix, what’s that tell you??? I’ll let YOU know what title I decide to defend. Until then, excuse my FRENCH & f*ck off”

From there, Cheick Kongo offered some return fire:

“This belt ain’t yours & you know it,” Kongo said. “Good for you if the Bellator gave it to you. Do I need to remind you who I just beat? Guess what, I’m coming for what I EARNED & DESERVE. Fight like the HW Champion you wanna be or leave it to whom it belongs. Et va te faire foutre au passage.”

For those that don’t speak French: that last sentence is not particularly kind.

Who do you think would win a fight between Cheick Kongo and Ryan Bader?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 2/17/2019.