Ryan Bader is scheduled to fight the winner of the Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix on New Year’s Eve (NYE), according to reports. The grand prix started on May 4, 2025, with Jose Augusto, Marek Samociuk, and Mikio Ueda advancing to the semifinals
Ryan Bader was waiting for the dust to settle around his release from the PFL to see where he might wind up fighting next.
Now we know.
Bader (31-8-1) and Rizin announced the former Bellator heavyweight and light heavyweight champion will fight the winner of the promotion’s ongoing grand prix. Bader came into the ring Sunday at Rizin’s Otoko Matsuri to tell promotion president Nobuyuki Sakakibara he’s planning to be the promotion’s champion after New Year’s Eve.
Rizin’s heavyweight tournament started Sunday. Former Bellator fighter Jose Augusto, Marek Samociuk and Mikio Ueda advanced to the semifinals. A fourth quarterfinal fight is yet to take place.
Regardless of who becomes Rizin’s heavyweight champion after the tournament, Bader likely will be a heavy betting favorite in the fight.
Bader fought for Bellator from 2017 until it was purchased and dissolved by the PFL. Bader was knocked out in 21 seconds by Renan Ferreira in a crossover fight between PFL and Bellator heavyweight champions in February 2024. He asked for his PFL release earlier this year without another fight on the horizon – and he joined scores of other former Bellator fighters who have publicly railed on the PFL for its treatment of them.
Long live Rizin.
Bader is expected to fight at RIZIN’s annual New Year’s Eve show on Dec. 31. He awaits the winner of a heavyweight grand prix, which kicked off at Sunday’s event with fellow former Bellator fighter Jose Augusto having advanced to the semifinals alongside Poland’s Marek Samociuk and Japan’s Mikio Ueda. A fourth quarterfinal bout between Islambek Baktybek Uulu and Alexander Soldatkin was cancelled.
It’s already been over a year since Bader, 41, has competed, with his most recent appearance taking place at the PFL vs. Bellator event in February 2024. Bader lost via TKO in 21 seconds to Renan Ferreira, a result that snapped a three-fight win streak for “Darth.”
Thanks !! @Captain_Kaboom
No one wants to see Phil Davis, Corey Anderson, or Ryan Bader fight. They got lucky with Bellator, hopefully Rizin humbles these fools