Ryan Bader already sits in rarefied air in the history of MMA after becoming one of only a few fighters to ever hold two division titles simultaneously in a major promotion.
The former NCAA All-American wrestler wasted no time winning the Bellator light heavyweight title after signing with the promotion following a long stint with the UFC. Then between 2018 and the start of 2019, Bader dominated the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix to win his second title while defeating legendary former PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko.
He stuck around heavyweight for an additional title defense against Cheick Kongo, but now for the first time in almost three years, Bader returns to light heavyweight for a showdown with Russian contender Vadim Nemkov on Friday night at Bellator 244.