It’s been on the cards for a while, but only now has it become official that long-time UFC fighter Ryan Bader has signed for Bellator.
Bader had opted to test his worth on the open market when his latest UFC deal came to an end, and Dana White had signaled they weren’t going to be fighting to keep him when he stated a few weeks ago that, “I think Bellator is a good place for Ryan Bader. I think at this point in his career, I think it’s the right move for him.”
The 33-year-old former TUF winner has been a perennial top 10 contender at 205lbs and has won six of his last seven fights, including victories over the likes of Ovince St. Preux, Phil Davis, Rashad Evans and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
His only loss during that period came by KO against Anthony Johnson in January of last year and that kept him out of the title picture in the division.
Despite a very solid CV, Bader has never been considered a significant draw for the UFC, and that’s why they appeared to distance themselves from getting drawn into a battle with Bellator to retain his services.
The UFC’s loss is Bellator’s gain, and though he’s not likely to be a big needle-mover for the company, he brings further credibility to their light-heavyweight division, whose current champion Phil Davis is also a former UFC star.
Speaking of which, Davis is keen to avenge a 2015 split decision loss to Bader in the Octagon, and has called him out for a title fight at the upcoming Bellator 180 pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
With the likes of Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’, Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal, Chael Sonnen and Satoshi Ishii also currently on Bellator’s 205lb roster there should be plenty of match-ups to keep him busy during his multi-fight deal with the promotion.
