Ryan Bader’s PFL Departure: A Shocking Turn in MMA
Ryan Bader, the former Bellator heavyweight champion, has officially parted ways with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) after just one fight in 2024. The split marks the end of a brief and tumultuous chapter for Bader, who joined PFL following Bellator’s acquisition by the league.
Bader’s sole appearance under the PFL banner came on February 25, 2024, at the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In a shocking upset, Bader suffered a first-round knockout loss to Renan Ferreira in just 21 seconds. The defeat halted his three-fight win streak and raised questions about his future in the sport.
Despite having one fight remaining on his contract, Bader and PFL executives reached an amicable agreement to part ways. The decision was confirmed by MMA insider Ariel Helwani, who reported that both parties were satisfied with the terms of the departure. Bader’s manager, Dave Martin, expressed gratitude to PFL executive Mike Kogan for recognizing Bader’s contributions and facilitating a smooth exit.
Bader’s tenure with Bellator was nothing short of historic. After signing with the promotion in 2017, he became the first fighter in Bellator history to hold championships in two weight classes simultaneously. His crowning achievement came at Bellator 214 in January 2019, where he defeated Fedor Emelianenko to win the heavyweight title. Bader also defended his belt against Valentin Moldavsky and Cheick Kongo, setting a record for the most consecutive heavyweight title defenses in Bellator history.
As Bader steps away from PFL, he is exploring new opportunities outside the cage. The film, which chronicles the life of Mark Kerr, is slated for release later this year and has generated significant buzz in the MMA and entertainment communities.
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