Ryan Bader releases statement after Bellator 244 TKO loss
Ryan Bader has opened up on his second-round TKO loss to Vadim Nemkov in the main event of Bellator 244.
Bader was dropping back down to light heavyweight for the first time since 2017 to defend his belt. It was a very intriguing matchup against Nemkov but many thought the champ would get it done. Yet, that is far from what happened as Nemkov was clearly the faster man and eventually landed a head kick which dropped the champ and finished it via ground and pound.
Following the loss, Ryan Bader took to social media to release a statement on the loss.
Well not the result we were after but it’s the game we play. I’m all good and appreciate the support! I freaking hate to lose but as always I’ll keep working my ass off. Lost one belt but still have that heavyweight belt on my shoulder and will be better than ever. 👊🏼@BellatorMMA pic.twitter.com/k1IbwSsGRf
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) August 23, 2020
“Well not the result we were after but it’s the game we play. I’m all good and appreciate the support! I freaking hate to lose but as always I’ll keep working my ass off. Lost one belt but still have that heavyweight belt on my shoulder and will be better than ever,” Bader wrote on Twitter.
The loss to Nemkov was Bader’s first since 2016 when he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson. Since then, he went 7-0 with one no-contest including a win over Fedor Emelianenko. Although Bader lost, he still is the heavyweight champion. So, it is likely he will remain at that weight class moving forward.
Ryan Bader had yet to taste defeat in Bellator and was looking to prove he is one of the best light heavyweights alive but came up short. Before the loss to Nemkov, he fought Cheick Kongo to a no-contest and before that beat the likes of Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione, and King Mo among others.
Vadim Nemkov, meanwhile, is now 12-2 including being a perfect 5-0 in Bellator. In the promotion, he has beaten Bader, Rafael Carvalho, Phil Davis, Liam McGeary, and Philipe Lins. His two losses came in RIZIN against Jiri Prochazka and Karl Albrektsson.
