Cheick Kongo To Ryan Bader: “I’m Going To Murder You”

Bellator heavyweight contender Cheick Kongo is looking to earn more than the heavyweight title in his upcoming rematch against Ryan Bader. Kongo has proved that age may be just a number during his recent run-in Bellator. The 46-year-old has won 9 of his last 11 fights, including most recently against Sergei Kharitonov at Bellator 265. […]

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Bellator heavyweight contender Cheick Kongo is looking to earn more than the heavyweight title in his upcoming rematch against Ryan Bader.

Kongo has proved that age may be just a number during his recent run-in Bellator. The 46-year-old has won 9 of his last 11 fights, including most recently against Sergei Kharitonov at Bellator 265.

Just minutes after Bader earned a unanimous decision victory against Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 273, the promotion announced that Bader will defend his belt against Kongo in May at an event in Paris.

The Bader-Kongo rivalry is one of the most heated in recent Bellator history. The two top heavyweights fought to a no-contest after an accidental eye-poke by Bader stopped the fight. Bader later denied that he poked Kongo.

Kongo is looking to earn a decisive win this time against Bader. During a recent interview with Mirror, he revealed what he told Bader during their staredown following Bellator 273.

“I told him ‘karma is a b****’ and you did really good,” Kongo said. “I was impressed with his performance, it was a really good satisfaction. I wish he will be able to perform the same way [against me] but I’m going to kill you. When he left the cage, I told him ‘you better be ready, because I’m gonna murder you’. I wasn’t expecting to face him after three years, I thought it was just a utopia but they make it real. Now it’s happening. His salvation will probably for me to die with Covid or get hit by a car to not face me.”

Kongo will have the opportunity to exact his revenge against Bader in front of the hometown crowd in Paris. He has his own gym and team in France called “Kongo’s Smashin’ Club”, which features top prospects such as Djati Melan.

Kongo’s murder comments remind some fans of UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland, who has previously spoken about his desire to kill someone in the cage.

The Kongo-Bader rivalry doesn’t show any signs of cooling down anytime soon, and their fight is expected to be one of the most highly-anticipated in Bellator in 2022.

What is your prediction for Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo 2?

Continue Reading Cheick Kongo To Ryan Bader: “I’m Going To Murder You” at MMA News.

Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo Set for May 6 in Paris

Ryan BaderOn Saturday, Bellator announced that the promotion would return to Paris, France, hosting a heavyweight title fight between Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo. The announcement came after Ryan Bader left the Bellator sphere with a victory over Valetin Moldavsky in the Bellator 273 headliner. The promotion shortly after confirmed that the card would go down […]

Ryan Bader

On Saturday, Bellator announced that the promotion would return to Paris, France, hosting a heavyweight title fight between Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo.

The announcement came after Ryan Bader left the Bellator sphere with a victory over Valetin Moldavsky in the Bellator 273 headliner. The promotion shortly after confirmed that the card would go down on May 6th at Accor Arena and that Bader would defend his title against French native Cheick Kongo.

Kongo was present at Bellator 273 and was brought into the cage for a faceoff with Ryan Bader following his five-round battle. The forty-six-year-old stated he was proud of getting Bellator to France in 2020 and hopes it’s a great sign moving forward for developing the sport in his country.

Paris Hosts Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo

“Bringing Bellator to France in 2020 was one of the highlights of my career, and I knew that it was the start of a long run of big events in Paris,” Bellator president Scott Coker stated. “Here we are ready for our second trip to France, and this time we are bringing a heavyweight world title rematch featuring arguably the most recognizable French mixed martial artist in our sport’s history. It’s personally important to me to help grow the sport in France and give these athletes a chance to perform on a large stage.”

May 6th will mark the second time Bader and Kongo have shared the Octagon with one another. The first meeting between the heavyweights ended prematurely due to Bader unintentionally poking Kongo in the eye resulting in the fight being declared a non-contest.

Kongo’s last appearance at Bellator Paris didn’t go as planned, as he dropped a unanimous decision to Tim Johnson, which put his title hopes on hold. Kongo bounced back at Bellator 265, recording a round-two submission over Sergei Kharitonov, granting him another crack at gold.

Bader’s victory on Saturday night saw the thirty-six fight veteran back in the win column after being stopped in round one by Corey Anderson. The fight marked Bader’s first fight back at heavyweight since the first meeting with Kongo.

How do you see the heavyweight title fight playing out?

VIDEO | Cheick Kongo Scores Submission Win Over Sergei Kharitonov

Cheick KongoCheick Kongo picked up another wild come from behind win at Bellator 265. In the main event of the evening, Kongo scored a submission win with just one second left on the clock in round two. Prior to that, things weren’t going according to plan for Kongo who ate a ton of jabs and was […]

Cheick Kongo

Cheick Kongo picked up another wild come from behind win at Bellator 265.

In the main event of the evening, Kongo scored a submission win with just one second left on the clock in round two.

Prior to that, things weren’t going according to plan for Kongo who ate a ton of jabs and was even dropped by one in the first frame. However, midway through round two Kongo unleashed a series of punches that hurt Kharitonov. The Frenchman shot for a takedown and the two heavyweights hit the mat with an audible thud.

Kongo quickly transitioned to mount and Kharitonov tried to roll, exposing his neck. Kongo locked in the rear-naked choke and ultimately got the tap with just one remaining in round two.

What’s next for Cheick Kongo after his big win at Bellator 265?

Bellator 265 Quick Results: Kongo Submits Kharitonov

Bellator MMA went to the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for Bellator 265 live tonight. The heavyweight main event featured the #3-ranked Cheick Kongo against Sergei Kharitonov. Kongo was able to earn the second-round submission finish to…

Bellator MMA went to the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for Bellator 265 live tonight. The heavyweight main event featured the #3-ranked Cheick Kongo against Sergei Kharitonov. Kongo was able to earn the second-round submission finish to earn the victory. The co-main event between Adam Borics and Jay-Jay Wilson was canceled. MMA Junkie […]

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Tim Johnson Not Upset By Bellator 248 Headliner Snub

Tim Johnson thought he was going to headline Bellator 248 this Saturday against Cheick Kongo but wasn’t surprised when the promotion switched up the bout order. “I assumed by the (Bellator) poster we were main (event)” Johnson told MM…

Tim Johnson thought he was going to headline Bellator 248 this Saturday against Cheick Kongo but wasn’t surprised when the promotion switched up the bout order. “I assumed by the (Bellator) poster we were main (event)” Johnson told MMANews. “Bellator takes us as the co-main event (instead), I probably don’t have enough fanfare honestly. You […]

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Ryan Bader Offers Proof He Didn’t Eye-Poke Cheick Kongo

Ryan Bader believes that Cheick Kongo quit during their Bellator 226 main event, and he wants the world to see the evidence. The official result of Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo’s heavyweight championship bout last Saturday was a no contest after Kongo c…

Ryan Bader believes that Cheick Kongo quit during their Bellator 226 main event, and he wants the world to see the evidence. The official result of Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo’s heavyweight championship bout last Saturday was a no contest after Kongo claimed to be poked in the eye while beneath Bader, but Bader believes […]

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