INGLEWOOD, Calif – Ryan Bader said all week that he didn’t mind being “the bad guy” against Fedor Emelianenko in his retirement fight. A man of his word, he ran through “The Last Emperor.”
Bader spoiled Emelianenko’s final appearance in an MMA cage by making quick work of him, winning by first-round TKO after just 2 minutes and 30 seconds to retain his heavyweight title. The fight served as the headliner for Bellator’s debut on CBS at Kia Forum..
The speed difference between Bader, 39, and 46-year-old Emelianenko was evident from the start. It didn’t take long for Bader (31-7 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) to clip Emelianenko (40-7 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) with a right hand that staggered him back onto the canvas. Bader pounced, then settled into position before unleashing punches and hammerfists while controlling one of Emelianenko’s wrists. It left referee Herb Dean no choice but to step in.
