Former two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader announced he has signed with Japanese promotion Rizin.
Ryan Bader during the Rizin Otoko Matsuri event
I want to fight. One hundred percent, and I will be your champion by January.
He is expected to fight on December 31 against the winner of the heavyweight Grand Prix. So far, Jose Augusto, Marek Samociuk, and Mikio Ueda have advanced to the semifinals. The quarterfinal match between Islambek Baktybek Uulu and Aleksandr Soldatkin was canceled.
Bader’s last fight was against Renan Ferreira in February 2024 at the PFL vs. Bellator event. Bader lost by technical knockout in the first round. His career record is 31 wins, eight losses, and one no-contest.
