Ryan Bader has been around the highest levels of MMA for quite some time, but until Bellator 214 on Saturday night, he hasn’t gotten a ton of recognition for his accomplishments.
Bader won the Bellator heavyweight grand prix in spectacular fashion by vanquishing Fedor Emelianenko in just 35 seconds, knocking out the all-time great with a single left hook to the jaw. Though he’s conquered several high-level opponents, none have the name or legacy as “The Last Emperor.”
“Fedor just has this aura about him and look what he did in this tournament,” Bader told the assembled press at the Bellator 214 post-fight press conference late Saturday night.