Former Bellator MMA “champ-champ,” Ryan Bader got his much-desired revenge against the first man to ever knock him out, defeating Lyoto Machida via unanimous decision in the main event of Bellator 256 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Machida opened up with a strong first round, busting up Bader’s right side of the body thanks to multiple kicks. After that, Machida’s offense disappeared. Indeed, Bader went to his roots and out-wrestled “The Dragon” for the next four rounds and it wasn’t even close.
In rounds two through five, “Darth” completely shut out “The Dragon,” taking him down early on in every round. He then proceeded to ride out the time on top of him. But he didn’t just lay-and-pray; Bader dropped elbows, strikes and hammer fists from top position, busting up Machida’s nose in the process. A visibly exhausted “Dragon” couldn’t do much to stop the takedown.
@RyanBader scoring yet another takedown, now in the third round.
Watch #Bellator256 and the #BellatorLHWGP LIVE NOW on @SHOSports.#MMA #BellatorOnShowtime pic.twitter.com/lTH1AsR3ov
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 10, 2021
BIG TAKEDOWN from @ryanbader.
We are LIVE on @SHOsports with the first QF in the #BellatorLHWGP. #Bellator256 pic.twitter.com/QXoDMdfqsM
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 10, 2021
In the end, Bader walked away with a unanimous decision win and moves on to the next round of the promotion’s Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. He will face the winner of the upcoming opening round fight between Corey Anderson and Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, which goes down next Friday (April 16) at Bellator 257.
REVENGE!@RyanBader settles the score, and gets one step closer to what used to be his belt and a $1,000,000 prize! pic.twitter.com/12BTuz6ufv
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 10, 2021
For full Bellator 256: “Bader vs Machida 2” play-by-play updates and results click here.