Bader signs with Bellator MMA

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UFC vet Ryan Bader to sign multi-fight deal with Bellator, debut not set
By Steven Marrocco March 20, 2017 1:55 pm

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Highly ranked light heavyweight Ryan Bader is the latest high-profile addition to the Bellator family.

Bellator President Scott Coker today informed MMAjunkie that Bader will today accept a multi-fight contract deal with the Viacom-owned promotion, ending a period of free agency after fighting out his UFC contract.

Bader (22-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) is currently the No. 5 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA light-heavyweight rankings. Coker did not disclose a timeline for the fighter’s promotional debut.

The winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 8” most recently fought this past November at UFC Fight Night 100, where he stopped Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a rematch of a 2010 meeting he won via decision. It was his second consecutive win following a knockout loss to current UFC title contender Anthony Johnson that delayed his mission to fight for the belt.

Before that setback, Bader struggled to gain traction in the UFC’s 205-pound division despite a five-fight winning streak that had him rising in the rankings. He appeared to line up a title shot when he clashed with Daniel Cormier after Cormier seized the vacant title at UFC 187. But the promotion subsequently picked onetime title challenger Alexander Gustafsson as the next challenger.

Bader subsequently told MMAjunkie his plan was to forget about the title and keep winning fights. But after two wins, his career position didn’t seem to improve, and he signaled he would fight out his contract and test the open market. While he maintained his desire to stay in the UFC, he said he would entertain other offers.

This past month, UFC President Dana White indicated he wouldn’t push to keep Bader in the fold.

“We had told Ryan Bader he was good to go,” White said. “We knew he was going to go to Bellator the entire time. I think Bellator is a good place for Ryan Bader. At this point in his career, I think it’s the right move for him.”

It took more than one month for Bader to put pen to paper, but today his move is complete. He already owns a win over current Bellator champ Phil Davis, whom he beat in the octagon in January 2015 at UFC on FOX 14.

For more on Bellator’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.


http://mmajunkie.com/2017/03/ufc-vet-ryan-bader-to-sign-multi-fight-deal-with-bellator-debut-not-set
 
Damn, looks like Bellator can compete with the UFC for top talent. Guess that antitrust lawsuit doesn't have any merit after all :cool:
 
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isn't this old news now at this point
 
I guess they want to let Liam McGeary get humped again by a former UFC guy? On a completely fanciful note: What if Chael comes out on the mic and says that Tito retired because he knew Bader was coming in and didn't want him to get that win back? Also Bader would be in a darth vader mask. And escorted to the cage by Big Van Vader.
 
Def a good pickup for their div, not sure how good Bader being champ is gonna be for them though.
 
I think Phil Davis will ultimately school Bader, but it is another recognizable UFC name for Bellator. Good on them.
 
Also have to remember that Bader won a season of TUF on spike... so hes recognizable to Spike TV fans
 
Bader's looked vicious in his last 2. He should go for the bigger fights rather than title. Rampage, Fedor, Kongo, etc. Or they can just throw him right in with Phil Davis, he's the #1 contender if he wants to be.
 
I guess they want to let Liam McGeary get humped again by a former UFC guy? On a completely fanciful note: What if Chael comes out on the mic and says that Tito retired because he knew Bader was coming in and didn't want him to get that win back? Also Bader would be in a darth vader mask. And escorted to the cage by Big Van Vader.
Better do that quick before Vader actually dies.
 
I guess they want to let Liam McGeary get humped again by a former UFC guy? On a completely fanciful note: What if Chael comes out on the mic and says that Tito retired because he knew Bader was coming in and didn't want him to get that win back? Also Bader would be in a darth vader mask. And escorted to the cage by Big Van Vader.

Bader can go along or say something about how Chael got title shots via his mouth whIle Bader actually won against top guys but got shafted. Either way could be interesting.
 
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