It looks like light heavyweight Ryan Bader (22-5) is the latest in the line of UFC fighters who will look to test his luck on the free agency market.
The Power MMA Team trained fighter started his UFC career by winning the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter and went onto fight 20 times under the UFC’s banner.
The 33-year-old has won seven of his last eight matches with the last fight on his current contract being against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 100 where he scored a 3rd round TKO win over the Brazilian.
Now it appears that “Darth” Bader is willing dip his foot into free agency waters which could potentially open the doors to a potential move and join a growing list of ex-UFC fighters such as Chael Sonnen, Rory MacDonald and Benson Henderson who made the jump to Bellator.
Speaking to Flo Combat Bader had the following to say on a potential move to Bellator.
”There are some really intriguing matchups for me over in Bellator, and I love it. I have 20 fights in the UFC. I started my career there, and it has a special place in my heart. But at the same time, I have to look at right now and the things I want. I got into this game to become a champion and winning the title in Bellator or the UFC would be a dream come true. I believe I deserve the opportunity.
”I’d love to step in and fight Phil Davis again for the Bellator title, or barring a fight between Anthony Johnson and Daniel Cormier, I’m right there as well. But there are a lot of really interesting matchups for me in Bellator. They have a guy I beat in Phil Davis holding the belt, but there are a lot of other names on their roster I’d love to mix it up with.”
With a number options at his disposal surly a more lucrative deal must be on the horizon for Bader.
