After leaving the UFC and signing with the promotion earlier this year, Ryan Bader is set to make his Bellator MMA debut at Bellator 180.
The UFC’s recent uniform deal with Reebok seems to have played a role in the departure of the MMA veteran from the promotion. Since the deal, UFC fighters are not permitted to be sponsored by other companies. The change in business seems to have greatly affected Ryan Bader’s profits.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Bader said “It will be three to four times what I was getting with Reebok, for sure. I had a couple really good blue-chip sponsors that have stood by us through the whole Reebok deal that are still there – like the American Ethanols and things of that sort. Then we got some new sponsors coming on board. We’re full for this fight.”
Ryan Bader is set to face Phil Davis on June 24 inside Madison Square Garden in New York at Bellator 180.
Finishing his explanation of the advantage of sponsorship as a Bellator MMA fighter, Bader stated “People are like, ‘Oh, you’re in Bellator, so it’s going to be harder to find sponsors.’ hat wasn’t the case at all. There’s more opportunity in that aspect, and we’re full. I’m getting much more money than I was in the UFC in sponsorship revenue. I’m feeling good, I’m excited, and I’m happy to be in Bellator. I’m coming for the belt, and I can’t wait. I’m going to make the best of it.”
