Will the UFC bring back Ryan Bader?

[BEATDOWNS]

https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/3/...eight-champion-ryan-bader-parts-ways-with-pfl

Should they now that he is a free agent. HW is shallow asf so I don't see why not.. imho

 

[Deleted member 609094]

 

[Hellowhosthat]

I doubt it, he's in his mid 40s and his chin has gone.

 

[BEATDOWNS]

I doubt it, he's in his mid 40s and his chin has gone.

7-3 in his last 10 lots of guys he can still beat @HW at least.

 

[Ibm]

Would watch, dude is a hard worker and a great fighter.

 

[skylolow]

It isn't in the cards that is for sure.

I see Bader going BKFC and maybe PFL fight vs Francis they can get that worked out.

 

[TXstriker]

Ok I guess..

He should take that offer asap.
@Bobby Boulders

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Ok I guess..

He should take that offer asap.
@Bobby Boulders

Makes sense now why they haven't completed the field. I'm OK with it. He isn't the fighter he once was, but he's still a nice win for a young unknown. After what Polo showed the other night, Bader would probably beat his ass

 

[David Street]

Looks like he is hoping for UFC.

Bellator champ Ryan Bader opens up on leaving PFL, says retiring in the UFC 'would be a cool scenario'

Bellator champion Ryan Bader explained why he opted to part ways with PFL.

mmajunkie.usatoday.com

Bellator champ Ryan Bader opens up on leaving PFL, says retiring in the UFC 'would be a cool scenario'​

 

[CC27]

He told Ariel he's talking with Rizin and this could be a one or two fight thing, he aint fighting for long.

UFC wont be in the cards though he could be a 9-10 HW and certainly a fight with Lewis at this point could headline a fight night or Tuivasa on a PPV main card but I dont see it. Dont think UFC is interested in paying him or bringing him in again for one or two fights.

Its Rizin for a final fight in Japan or try BKFC for a Rothwell fight or something to end it. Even GFL I dont think he's that committed to long term fights unless someone like GFL threw 7 figures at him to fight a few more times.

 

[cmw43]

I could see Jones doing a retirement fight against Bader for another defence.

 

[DougieJones]

I could see Jones doing a retirement fight against Bader for another defence.

"He's a legend, double champ and grand prix winner, and this fight does a lot for my legacy" is something I can unironically see Jones say

 

[Ibm]

The Hyan should return. The UFC is dead right now.

 

[mkt]

Bader got KO'd stiff by Machida's straight left when he was like 30. Now I love Machida, but he belonged at MW. Imagine an old Bader eating a hard shot from Aspinall, Pavlovich, Lewis or Ngannou now.

He could beat some HWs on the UFC roster but would be on the receiving end of some highlight reel KO's, just like his first UFC stint.

 

[Ludwig von Mises]

Bader got KO'd stiff by Machida's straight left when he was like 30. Now I love Machida, but he belonged at MW. Imagine an old Bader eating a hard shot from Aspinall, Pavlovich, Lewis or Ngannou now.

He could beat some HWs on the UFC roster but would be on the receiving end of some highlight reel KO's, just like his first UFC stint.

 

[brody_in_ga]

Bader got KO'd stiff by Machida's straight left when he was like 30. Now I love Machida, but he belonged at MW. Imagine an old Bader eating a hard shot from Aspinall, Pavlovich, Lewis or Ngannou now.

He could beat some HWs on the UFC roster but would be on the receiving end of some highlight reel KO's, just like his first UFC stint.

Dont forget that Tito also rocked him hard enough on the feet to get a submission... Tito...

 

[Thesnake101]

Bader got KO'd stiff by Machida's straight left when he was like 30. Now I love Machida, but he belonged at MW. Imagine an old Bader eating a hard shot from Aspinall, Pavlovich, Lewis or Ngannou now.

He could beat some HWs on the UFC roster but would be on the receiving end of some highlight reel KO's, just like his first UFC stint.

I mean Renan killed him already so there's no real point in wondering - he's too old to not get fucked up by any relevant HW.

 

[mkt]

I mean Renan killed him already so there's no real point in wondering - he's too old to not get fucked up by any relevant HW.

Bader got KO'd three times in his first UFC stint, back in his physical prime. And as someone else pointed out, a pillow-fisted Tito dropped him with a punch which led to a submission win.

His chin has always been compromised. And at 41, with diminished reflexes, almost any mediocre HW has a decent chance of throwing some big shots and putting Ryan to sleep. He should retire and not risk any more CTE.

 

[italiamusica]

Bader got KO'd three times in his first UFC stint, back in his physical prime. And as someone else pointed out, a pillow-fisted Tito dropped him with a punch which led to a submission win.

His chin has always been compromised. And at 41, with diminished reflexes, almost any mediocre HW has a decent chance of throwing some big shots and putting Ryan to sleep. He should retire and not risk any more CTE.

That's the best way to put it for sure. He got obliterated by some people in his prime, no way he would come back and be competitive at all. Unless he just wrestlefucked someone with no takedown defense or ground game, super boring and uneventful fight.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

RIZIN got him. Winner of the HWGP on NYE