Bellator 273: Footprint Center, Phoenix:
After saying this week he was done with light heavyweight, the former double-champ Ryan Bader returned to defend his heavyweight strap. And after a grueling five-round affair with Valentin Moldavsky; Bader rights the ship. Although he himself knows his “war” with TeamFedor is far from over.
After taking all three-scorecards 48-47 in an incredibly close unanimous decision, he said:
“For once I was hoping they weren’t judging the wrestling. He’s a good fighter, it was a tough fight, I’ll see him again”
Bader stung the interim champion off the bat However; it was the 29-year old Russian’s non-stop suffocating and grinding work on the ground that slowly zapped the energy from the explosive champion. As a matter of fact, Moldavsky finished going 10-18 on takedowns. And between rounds it was noticeable that Bader was breathing heavily, with Moldavsky more relaxed.
But it was a stuffing of another takedown in the tied fifth-round and a scramble that led Bader to land multiple unanswered elbows. And at least according to the three judges, that was the final difference. For one of the rarer times “damage done” was given more credence than control/dominant time.
And things don’t get any easier for Bader. Bellator then did their customary next face off then:
.@RyanBader will face @Kongo4Real on May 6th for a heavyweight championship bout rematch! pic.twitter.com/Dzy6bPA1HH
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) January 30, 2022
The loss for Moldavsky, ends a six-fight win streak. And for as good as he is, it continues another streak of his. His last now five-fights have been unanimous decisions, and nine of his 13-fights have gone to the cards. He just lacks that pure finishing factor of his mentor Fedor Emelianenko.
Bader Rights The Ship
The former multi All-American is 38-years old. And although he looked somewhat rejuvenated at heavyweight, he looked less explosive. Now maybe that’s because it was his first time back up there since the first Cheick Kongo fight in 2019. Or maybe it’s the 1st step in an age decline. In the May rematch he’ll be the younger fighter as Kongo will be a week away from 47.
Bader is undersized in that fight and needs to get his cardio back where it used to be if he wants to hold onto that belt. Post that fight nothing is certain. He defeated Linton Vassell at 205 back in 2017. He too is now at heavyweight, so that could be run back. If going by their rankings still in the Top-5 is Emelianenko, who hasn’t officially retired. Both have said under the right circumstances, they’d do it again.
Outside of that it’s really just Steve Mowry who’s on the verge of becoming a challenger. Unless of course Scott Coker goes out and signs a certain soon-to-be free agent in December who’s about to undergo knee surgery. For as much as people do clamor for Ngannou – Jon Jones; a Bader – Ngannou fight would be fun.
And you could picture after a win for “The Predator”; Dana White singing his praises. Admit it… YOU’D like it too.
