Bellator 244 Results: Ryan Bader Vs. Vadim Nemkov

A double-champion, Ryan Bader is looking to prove he is the best light heavyweight in MMA today. He will get a chance to when he defends his Bellator Light Heavyweight Title for the first time in three years.

Bellator 244 will be taking place tonight, August 21 from inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Bader will defend his title against Vadim Nemkov.

Bader (27-5, 1 NC) joined Bellator in 2017 following a 15-5 record in the UFC. The Ultimate Fighter 8 winner won the Bellator Light Heavyweight Title in his Bellator debut in 2017, beating Phil Davis at Bellator 180. He defended the title a few months later against Linton Vassell, beating him via TKO. Following that win, Bader moved up to heavyweight and competed in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix. He beat Muhammed Lawal, Matt Mitrione, and Fedor Emelianenko to win the tournament and the vacant Bellator Heavyweight Title.

Nemkov (11-2) is currently on a six-fight win streak. The four-time Sambo World Champion made his Bellator debut in 2017, beating Philipe Lins via knockout. He would later beat Liam McGeary, Phil Davis, and Rafael Carvalho, the last bout coming back in October.

The two were supposed to fight on May 9, but the event was postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

FIGHT SPORTS will be providing coverage of Bellator 244!

Main Card (Paramount Network/DAZN, 10 p.m. ET)

Vadim Nemkov def. Ryan Bader (c) via TKO (3:02 into round two) – Bellator Light Heavyweight Title

Julia Budd def. Jessy Miele via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Valentin Moldavsky def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

John Salter def. Andrew Kapel via arm triangle (3:11 into round three)

Prelims (Bellator YouTube Channel, 7:15 p.m. ET)

Sidney Outlaw def. Adam Piccolotti via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Joshua Hill def. Erik Perez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Weber Almeida def. Salim Mukhidinov via KO – (3:57 into round one)

Lucas Brennan def. Will Smith via TKO (4:14 into round two)

Chris Gonzalez def. Vladimir Tokov via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

John de Jesus def. Vladyslav Parubchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Yaroslav Amosov def. Mark Lemminger via TKO (end of round one)