When Ryan Bader stopped Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in November, it was the final fight on his UFC contract. Instead of signing a new deal before the fight, he bet on himself and he delivered.
Bader’s won seven of his last eight fights heading into free agency and should secure himself a big contract offer from either the UFC or Bellator.
The former winner of The Ultimate Fighter has an offer from Viacom-owned company and expects the contract in his hands very shortly.
“I have a Bellator offer coming either today or tomorrow,” Bader said Monday on “The MMA Hour“. “We kind of know the particulars. I went out and met with Scott Coker and the Bellator boys and I liked what they had to say, and I liked what they were about. So we’re going through that process. That being said, the UFC has the right to match. It’s kind of in a weird place. I’m super-excited to be in this position. I’m in a great position.”
Even though he went on a tear to end his UFC contract, Bader never received a shot at the light heavyweight title. He likes the way Bellator plans things out. The 20-fight UFC veteran doesn’t want to sign a contract with a company just for the number of fights and money.
“It’s about opportunity,” Bader said. “I want to know what [Bellator’s] plan is for me also, on both sides. I just don’t want to sign a deal, saying, ‘okay we’re signing a four, six, eight fight deal and these are your terms and this is your money, alright, good to go, bye.’ I want to know the plan is for me in particular. What we’re thinking about first fight? What is the road to the title? More looking at something in stone [instead of] just signing a contract and never knowing where you’re at.”
If Bader does sign with Bellator, he feels he could get an immediate title shot against Phil Davis. “Darth” holds a victory over “Mr. Wonderful”, winning by split decision at UFC on Fox 14 in Jan. 2015.
“I do believe we can [get a title shot right away],” he said. “That’s another thing, like I said, I keep hitting on the word opportunity and the plan — what’s your plan for me? And so, things like that are being discussed. I know [Davis] probably wants to get that win back, that’s definitely part of it.”
