Ryan Bader News
Ryan Bader explains why a rematch with Jon Jones at heavyweight would go completely different than their first encounter
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2024
Bellator champion Ryan Bader believes a rematch against Jon Jones would go differently at heavyweight. Way back in 2011, Jon Jones and Ryan Bader clashed at light heavyweight. It was billed as an encounter that would determine who the next rising contender really is at 205 pounds, and Jones came out on top with a nice submission finish.
Bellator champion Ryan Bader shares advice for Tom Aspinall amidst frustrations over undisputed UFC title fight
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2024
Bellator heavyweight king Ryan Bader has given Tom Aspinall some advice regarding his pursuit of an undisputed UFC title fight. For months now, Tom Aspinall has been asking for an undisputed heavyweight championship opportunity. He is the current interim champion, with Jon Jones holding the undisputed gold.
REPORT | Ryan Bader, Patricio Pitbull among first fighters added to February's PFL vs. Bellator event
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2024
The reported Bellator vs. PFL card slated for February 24th is now adding fights. In November, the Viacom-owned company was bought out by the PFL. With that, it marked a departure for figures such as Scott Coker, and others. However, Donn Davis and others plan to keep running Bellator as a separate entity and keep holding events for the foreseeable future.
Ryan Bader reveals that Viacom wouldn't pay replacement opponent for Bellator 300: "They are out"
Josh Evanoff - October 3, 2023
Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader has explained why he’s not fighting on Saturday. ‘Darth’ was originally scheduled to face Linton Vassell at Bellator 300 this weekend. The bout was going to be a rematch of their prior clash in 2017, at Bellator 186. That night, Ryan Bader won by second-round knockout, and he was hoping to score the same result up at heavyweight this time around.
Vadim Nemkov eyeing rematch with Ryan Bader to avenge Fedor Emelianenko: "I have to beat him"
Josh Evanoff - June 29, 2023
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov again has his eyes on Ryan Bader, but not for himself. The Russian is fresh off his return in the main event of Bellator 297 earlier this month. There, he faced Yoel Romero, who was riding a two-fight winning streak. However, the 46-year-old proved to be no match for Vadim Nemkov, as the champion retained his title by unanimous decision.
Ryan Bader set for TUF return as a coach on Team Chandler
Susan Cox - February 22, 2023
Ryan Bader is set to return to TUF as a coach on Team Chandler. The former UFC light heavyweight contender Ryan Bader (31-7 MMA), who currently fights under the Bellator banner, will be heading back to the UFC to assist head coach Michael Chandler in Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Ryan Bader hoping to face Francis Ngannou next to prove legitimacy as champion: "To to go out there and beat him, and there’s no question I'm legit"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is hoping that he can share the cage with Francis Ngannou. ‘Darth’ returned over the weekend in the main event of Bellator 290. In the headliner, Bader faced Fedor Emelianenko in a rematch of their 2019 meeting. In the finals of the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix four years prior, ‘The Last Emperor’ lost by first-round stoppage.
Ryan Bader hits back at reported payout against Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 290: "I wouldn’t be fighting if I was making that"
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2023
Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader made much more than reported on Saturday night. ‘Darth’ returned over the weekend at Bellator 290 against Fedor Emelianenko. The bout was actually a rematch of their prior clash in the finals of the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix. In that January 2019 outing, Bader won by first-round knockout.
Pros react after Ryan Bader TKO's Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 290
Chris Taylor - February 4, 2023
Tonight’s Bellator 290 main event featured a heavyweight title fight rematch between Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader. The MMA legend and arguably greatest heavyweight of all time, Emelianenko (40-7 MMA), was making his final cage appearance this evening. ‘The Last Emperor‘ entered the matchup coming off back-to-back first-round knockout victories over Timothy Johnson and Quinton Jackson. Those wins were preceded by a TKO loss to Ryan Bader at Bellator 214, in a bout that had lasted just 35-seconds.
Bellator 290 Results: Ryan Bader stops Fedor Emelianenko in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - February 4, 2023
Tonight’s Bellator 290 main event features a heavyweight title fight rematch between Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader. The MMA legend and arguably greatest heavyweight of all time, Emelianenko (40-6 MMA), will be making his final cage appearance this evening. ‘The Last Emperor‘ is coming off back-to-back first-round knockout victories over Timothy Johnson and Quinton Jackson in his most recent efforts. Those wins were preceded by a TKO loss to Ryan Bader at Bellator 214, in a bout that lasted just 35-seconds.
Bellator 290: 'Bader vs. Fedor 2' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - February 4, 2023
The cage returns to Inglewood, California, for tonight’s Bellator 290 event, a 14-bout fight card headlined by Fedor Emelianenko vs. Ryan Bader 2. The MMA legend and arguably greatest heavyweight of all time, Emelianenko (40-6 MMA), will be making his final cage appearance this evening. ‘The Last Emperor‘ is coming off back-to-back first-round knockout victories over Timothy Johnson and Quinton Jackson in his most recent efforts. Those wins were preceded by a TKO loss to Ryan Bader at Bellator 214, in a bout that lasted just 35-seconds.
Pro fighters make their picks for Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2023
In the main event of Bellator 290, the heavyweight title is up for grabs as Ryan Bader rematches Fedor Emelianenko, in the Russian’s retirement fight. Heading into the fight, Bader is a -330 favorite while the Russian is a +275 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros are unanimous in thinking Bader gets his hand raised again but many are rooting for Emelianenko to get the win.
Fedor Emelianenko's retirement fight against Ryan Bader to headline Bellator 290 on CBS in February
Josh Evanoff - November 18, 2022
Bellator’s debut on CBS next year has some serious star power. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of the cage since his knockout win over Timothy Johnson in October 2021. Following the victory, Emelianenko revealed he would only compete one more time. He subsequently called for a rematch with Ryan Bader.
Bellator's Scott Coker provides update on Fedor Emelianenko retirement fight, reveals hope for Ryan Bader rematch: "He wants a revenge fight"
Josh Evanoff - October 4, 2022
Bellator president Scott Coker has revealed who Fedor Emelianenko could fight next. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of action since his knockout victory over Tim Johnson in October 2021. The bout moved Emelianenko to a two-fight winning streak, as he had previously finished Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in Japan in December 2019.
Scott Coker reveals Fedor Emelianenko hoping to face Ryan Bader in retirement fight: "We’ll definitely consider it"
Josh Evanoff - July 25, 2022
Scott Coker has revealed that Bellator heavyweights Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader could faceoff once again. ‘The Last Emperor’ has been out of the cage since his knockout of Tim Johnson last October. The victory moved his current winning streak to two, as he previously defeated Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in December 2019.
Bellator 280 Results: Ryan Bader defeats Cheick Kongo (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - May 6, 2022
Tonight’s Bellator 280 event is headlined by a heavyweight title fight rematch between Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo. Bader (30-7 MMA) and Kongo (31-12-2 MMA) first met at Bellator 226 in September of 2019, with the bout ending in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke.
Bellator 273 Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - January 29, 2022
Bellator 273 takes place this evening in Phoenix, a ten-bout fight card headlined by Ryan Bader vs. Valentin Moldavsky. Bader (28-7 MMA), the promotions reigning heavyweight champion, will be returning to the division for the first time in twenty-eight months. ‘Darth’ has spent his last three contests competing at light heavyweight, where he went 1-2, this while dropping the 205lbs title to Vadim Nemkov.
Ryan Bader open to Fedor rematch, but admits it's a "lose-lose" situation
Josh Evanoff - January 28, 2022
Ryan Bader is currently set to fight Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 273. Despite his focus being on the interim champion, there’s still a massive looming figure in the form of Fedor Emelianenko. ‘Darth’ defeated the Russian in the finals of the 2018 Bellator heavyweight Grand-Prix. With the win, Bader became one of the few to defeat the legend, and also claimed the promotion’s heavyweight title.