Ryan Bader is a free agent once more.
The previous Bellator heavyweight champion has amicably parted methods with PFL regardless of having one struggle left on his contract. He final appeared within the promotion again in February 2024 when he suffered a loss to Renan Ferreira, which was finally his solely struggle with the PFL.
Sources near the scenario confirmed the information to MMA Combating on Thursday. Ariel Helwani first reported the information.
Following the struggle in opposition to Ferreira in 2024, Bader crossed over to appearing after touchdown a supporting function alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson within the upcoming movie The Smashing Machine, which relies on the lifetime of UFC and PRIDE veteran Mark Kerr.
After filming wrapped, Bader revealed that he nonetheless has one struggle left on his cope with PFL, however he wasn’t positive when he may return to motion. Now Bader has break up with the PFL making him a free agent, nevertheless it stays to be seen the place he’ll struggle subsequent.
Bader launched an announcement on social media about his departure from PFL.
“Formally a free agent,” Bader wrote. “PFL and our crew got here up with phrases we have been each pleased agreeing on with one struggle remaining on contract. The Bellator run was one for the books. What a blast, and being surrounded by nice individuals operating that org. I’m nonetheless open to totally different alternatives within the struggle sport. The Smashing Machine film will probably be launched considerably quickly and it will likely be an thrilling 12 months for positive. Large because of Mike Kogan on at all times treating the fighters with respect which is usually uncommon on this sport and Scott Coker and remainder of the Bellator crew, what a time that was. In fact David Martin for main the way in which.
Over the previous few years, Bader reinvented himself as a heavyweight with a 6-1 file with one no-contest in eight fights. His solely loss got here within the struggle in opposition to Ferreira, however he scored wins over names equivalent to Cheick Kongo, Valentin Moldavsky and PRIDE legend Fedor Emelianenko.
In fact, Bader additionally has loads of historical past at mild heavyweight, which is the place he fought within the UFC for many of his profession. That mentioned, Bader beforehand acknowledged that he had no want to chop again all the way down to 205 kilos once more so it’s doubtless he’s sticking at heavyweight for the longer term.
The place he finally ends up is unknown, however Bader is now free to signal with any promotion after receiving his launch from the PFL.
