The new surroundings seem to suit Ryan Bader just fine.
“The Ultimate Fighter 8” winner and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran will defend his Bellator MMA light heavyweight championship against Linton Vassell in the Bellator 186 main event on Friday at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania. It marks Bader’s first appearance since he made his promotional debut at Bellator 180 on June 24 and eked out a split decision over Phil Davis to capture the 205-pound title. The Power MMA Team cornerstone enters the cage on a three-fight winning streak that has seen him best Davis, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ilir Latifi in succession; only Davis went the distance.