Bellator MMA News & FeaturesFormer Bellator Champ Ryan Bader Receives Release From PFL
Just like that, the Bader era for Bellator MMA and the Professional Fighters League is over.
On Wednesday, Ariel Helwani reported that Ryan Bader had parted ways with his organization, despite the heavyweight having one more fight on his deal. The departure was amicable, and Bader will now become a free agent. He confirmed this news on social media on Thursday, thanking both organizations for his time with them while pitching his upcoming film “The Smashing Machine.”
“Just an update…officially a free agent,” Bader wrote. “PFL and our team came up with terms we were both happy agreeing on with one fight remaining on contract. The Bellator run was one for the books. What a blast, and being surrounded by great people running that org. I’m still open to different opportunities in the fight game. The Smashing Machine movie will be released somewhat soon and it will be an exciting year for sure. Big thanks to [Bellator matchmaker] Mike Kogan for always treating the fighters with respect which is sometimes rare in this game and [Bellator head] Scott Coker and the rest of the Bellator team, what a time that was. Of course [manager] David Martin for leading the way.”
After getting his walking papers from the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2016 despite coming off two knockout wins, “Darth” went on a run in Bellator that consisted of 12 fights, all for either championships or in various grand prix. Bader kicked off his tenure in the new promotion by winning the light heavyweight crown, and he maintained it to become a simultaneous two-division champion by winning out the heavyweight tournament and knocking out Fedor Emelianenko. While he avenged a past knockout loss to Lyoto Machida during his time with Bellator, Bader best can lay claim as the only man to ever knock out all-time great Emelianenko twice. He once set foot in the PFL cage, getting drummed out by the towering Renan Ferreira in 21 seconds in a champ vs. champ battle.
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