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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Simon Samano

Ryan Bader respects Fedor Emelianenko but has no issue being ‘the bad guy’ at Bellator 290

LOS ANGELES – Ryan Bader is the reigning, defending, undisputed Bellator heavyweight champion, but nobody cares about that.

OK, so it’s not that nobody cares. It’s just that his next title defense is against Fedor Emelianenko on Saturday night at Bellator 290, which also happens to be “The Last Emperor’s” retirement fight. Being the beloved MMA legend that he is, Bader knows fans would like to see Emelianenko ride off into the sunset with a victory and gold strapped around his waist.

Bader understands the situation.

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