Ryan Bader is set to continue his run in the heavyweight grand prix when he meets Matt Mitrione at Bellator 207 on Friday in a fight that many think will determine the future winner of the tournament. Bader comes into the fight as the promotion’s light heavyweight champion and boasts a KO win over Muhammed Lawal in his last fight.
Heading into the bout, Bader is aware of Mitrione's status as the favorite.
“Coming into this tournament a lot of people had him as No. 1,” Bader said during a Bellator conference call Tuesday.