Update On Ryan Bader Following Bellator 244 Loss
Ryan Bader is no longer a Bellator champion in two divisions but he still has gold.
Bader put the Bellator Light Heavyweight Title on the line against Vadim Nemkov on August 21. The title fight headlined Bellator 244 inside an empty Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. This was Bader’s first bout at 205 pounds since November 3, 2017. Bader ended up being stopped by Nemkov in the second round via TKO.
Speaking to reporters during the Bellator 244 post-fight press conference, Bellator President Scott Coker addressed what the next step is for Bader, who still holds the Heavyweight Title (h/t MMAJunkie.com).
“I think he’ll probably want to go back to heavyweight and fight some heavyweight fights,” Coker said. “But I do think this: As a fighter, he’s gonna want to come back and avenge his defeat at some point. And so whether we do it at heavyweight or he wants to come back right away, we’ll have him decide, but my guess, and again it’s just speculation, is that he’ll want to move up to heavyweight for a couple of fights, and then he’s gonna want to fight Nemkov again.”
Bader didn’t take long to reflect on suffering his first loss since January 30, 2016. Here’s what “Darth” had to say in a brief statement on his Twitter account.
Well not the result we were after but it’s the game we play. I’m all good and appreciate the support! I freaking hate to lose but as always I’ll keep working my ass off. Lost one belt but still have that heavyweight belt on my shoulder and will be better than ever. 👊🏼@BellatorMMA pic.twitter.com/k1IbwSsGRf
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) August 23, 2020
“Well not the result we were after but it’s the game we play. I’m all good and appreciate the support! I freaking hate to lose but as always I’ll keep working my ass off. Lost one belt but still have that heavyweight belt on my shoulder and will be better than ever.”
With the loss to Nemkov, Bader’s pro MMA record falls to 27-6, 1 NC. He has gone 5-1, 1 NC under the Bellator banner.