Welcome to the dark side as we introduce Ryan Bader, also known as “Darth,” (try saying it all together now) an MMA Legend with a repertoire of remarkable finishes in the UFC, Bellator and beyond.
Born June 7th, 1983, in Reno, Nevada, Bader has made a significant impact in the world of MMA, standing at 6’2″ and competing in the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight classes throughout his career.
Armed with a foundation in both wrestling and American Football, Bader embarked on an odyssey into the realm of combat sports during his collegiate years at Arizona State University.
His mastery of wrestling initiated his journey in MMA. It served as the cornerstone for his evolution into a multifaceted fighter, displaying a potent combination of knockout prowess and formidable grappling skills.
A fun fact was that during his time at Arizona State, he attended and was a teammate of the legends Cain Velasquez and CB Dollaway. Seems that this place always breeds top brass MMA wrestlers and fighters!
Also, a winner of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, Ryan Bader, showed promise early in his career, perhaps before it started. We get to see his growth into the fighter he is now, and his journey was a fascinating one to follow as he fought some of the best, all-time greats of the sport, including Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida and Fedor Emelianenko.
Bader’s recent victory against a top contender solidified his position as one of the elite fighters in the light heavyweight division.
He stands as Bellator’s Heavyweight Champion and has one hell of a record to back him. Do you think he will remain at the top long? Perhaps these following finishes will cement your perspective.
So without further ado, let’s delve into the bouts that present ‘Darth’s’ elite prowess inside the cage in Ryan Bader’s Top 5 MMA Finishes! (in descending order)
3. Vs. Ilir Latifi – UFC Fight Night 93 (Sept. 3, 2016)
UFC replayed this in its YouTube KO of the week, and Bader won his performance of the night bonus, too, and for good reason.
Ryan Bader shuffled himself with the left fake and launched a right knee to the slightly ducked Latifi.
Beautifully executed and devastatingly effective, the match was won at 2:06 into the second round.
2. Vs. King Mo – Bellator 199 (May 12, 2018)
The first round kicks off with Bader poised for action.
In a dazzling display of skill, a remarkable lunge, and a picture-perfect left hook conclude the fight in style.
Bader seamlessly follows through, swiftly bringing the battle to an end on the ground, whilst notching up the 7th fastest TKO in Bellator history in a mere 15 seconds. This was a finish as fast and furious as they come!
1. Vs. Fedor Emelianenko – Bellator 214 (Jan. 26, 2019)
In a historic clash for the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix title, Bader faced the legendary Fedor Emelianenko.
Bader showcased his versatility by moving up to heavyweight for this contest and proved his mettle against one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The fight ended spectacularly as Bader caught Emelianenko with a powerful left hook early on in the first round.
This devastating blow sent Emelianenko crashing to the canvas, and Bader swiftly followed up with ground-and-pound to secure the knockout victory.
With this win, Bader became Bellator’s first simultaneous two-division champion.
The win shocked many, especially with the sheer image that surrounds ‘The Emperor’ Emelianenko; however, Ryan Bader beat him twice! What a feat, indeed.
As Ryan Bader continues to make waves in the MMA world, fans eagerly anticipate his future matchups and the potential for more highlight-reel finishes.
Bader’s journey through multiple weight classes, his record against some of the best fighters ever to do it, and his ability to adapt and excel in different environments showcase his status as a solid, and legit MMA standout.
Stay tuned for more electrifying performances from the multifaceted fighter known as “Darth”!
