The worst kept secret in MMA his finally reached its conclusion. Ryan Bader is, as of today, the newest member of Bellator’s light heavyweight roster coming to terms on a six fight deal with the promotion.
Bader joins Bellator on the back of a 7-1 run in his last 8 UFC bouts, which includes wins over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Rashad Evans and, perhaps most interestingly, current Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis. Bader has long been linked with a move after announcing he would test free agency after fulfilling contractual obligations with the UFC. The details of Bader’s first bout in his new stomping ground have not yet been revealed. Bader joins Lorenz Larkin and Conor McGregor training partner Dillon Danis as recent Bellator signees.
UFC president Dana White all but confirmed that Bader would leave for Bellator in February, saying: “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. At this point in his career, I think it’s the right move for him.”
Excited to officially welcome yet another top Light Heavyweight in @ryanbader #BellatorNation https://t.co/N0KvzxDlQ7
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) March 20, 2017
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