In November and December, the #4 ranked UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader said he was going to test free agency, referring to it as taboo. He let his contract run out and entered negotiations with Bellator.
“I haven’t received a title shot yet with the UFC, and I believe that’s something I’ve earned. That and a few other things made me realize fighting out my contract was the best move and that’s what I did.”
“There are some really intriguing matchups for me over in Bellator, and I love it. … [The UFC] has a special place in my heart. But at the same time, I have to look at right now and the things I want. I got into this game to become a champion and winning the title in Bellator or the UFC would be a dream come true.”
“I’d love to step in and fight Phil Davis again for the Bellator title, or barring a fight between Anthony Johnson and Daniel Cormier, I’m right there as well. … The best is still ahead of me. I could fight for a title in any promotion.”
Now it’s decided. During a Friday appearance on Radio Row, UFC president Dana White was asked by USA Today’s Trysta Krick if he was going to match Bellator’s offer.
“No,” replied White. We had told Ryan Bader he was good to go. We knew he was going to go to Bellator the entire time. … 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.
Bellator has picked up a number of notable fighter at the end of their career, like Wanderlei Silva, Tito Ortiz, and Chael Sonnen. And Bellator has picked up some top fighters as well, including Phil Davis, Benson Henderson, Rory MacDonald, and Matt Mitrione, and now Ryan Bader.
Bader has the sole fighter in UFC history with 20 fights in the 205 division, and his 15 wins are second only to former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who has 16. Bader also is #2 in the division for takedowns, behind Rashad Evans. His five career losses are to former champions Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida, and Tito Ortiz, and to title challengers Anthony Johnson and Glover Teixeira.
An obvious fight for Bader is with current Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis. Bader took a Split Decision over Davis at UFC on FOX 14 early in 2015. Davis then left the UFC, won a four-man, one-night tournament to get a title shot at then-champion Liam McGeary and dominated in the title challenge. Bader could, as was former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, even be granted an immediate title shot.
