Scott Coker Open To Ryan Bader Fighting In Rizin

Two division Bellator champion Ryan Bader was last seen in action at Bellator 226, fighting Cheick Kongo to a no contest due to an accidental eye poke from Bader to Kongo. 

While it is unknown as to what the next move is for Bader, one idea that Bellator MMA President Scott Coker is open to is having Bader fight for Rizin.

“It’s definitely a possibility,” Coker told MMA Fighting. “We have a good relationship with Rizin, and if the timing is right, and he wants to go for that belt, and they want to do it, then we’d do it.”

Bader has spoken about competing in Rizin in the past, potentially joining such Bellator fighters as King Mo, Darrion Caldwell, Patricky Pitbull and others who have competed in both promotions simultaneously.

There is no heavyweight champion at the moment in Rizin, but the promotion does have a light heavyweight champion in Jiri Prochazka, who faces Fabio Maldonado later this month at Rizin 19. The promotions due have a common champion, as Kyoji Horiguchi holds both the Rizin and Bellator MMA Bantamweight Titles.

Coker has also alluded to holding a joint card with Rizin this December, but nothing has been made official at this time.