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Just last month, Bellator MMA two-division champion, Ryan Bader, looked to add a third title to his ever-growing collection. The means to that end was a RIZIN FF showdown in Japan, now that both promotions are working in tandem overseas.
Not happening.
“We tried hard but looks like fighting for the Rizin belt isn’t going to happen next,” Bader wrote on Twitter. “Just couldn’t come to terms where it made sense. I’m looking to return to the Bellator MMA cage sometime in February. Light heavyweight.”
I guess RIZIN light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka, has other plans.
Bader (27-5, 1 NC) has not seen the 205-pound weight class since his technical knockout victory over Linton Vassell back in late 2017. During that span, “Darth” captured wins over the likes of Matt Mitrione and Fedor Emelianenko, among others.
No doubt longtime light heavyweight nemesis, Phil Davis, will be glad to have him back.