Scott Coker Says Bader Has Options At Light Heavyweight, Will Face Winner Of Minakov/Kongo At Heavyweight

Ryan Bader became a two division champion at Bellator 214, when the light heavyweight champion defeated Fedor Emelianenko in the finals of the heavyweight world grand prix to win the Bellator MMA Heavyweight Title.

Bellator MMA President Scott Coker says that Bader has several big name fight options for when he chooses to defend the light heavyweight title.

“There’s good fights for him in the heavyweight division; there’s good fights for him at the 205-pound weight class,” Coker said at a Bellator media day (via MMA Junkie). “When I think of 205 and Ryan Bader, I think of Gegard (Mousasi) moving up to fight him at 205. I think of Lyoto Machida fighting at 205. Both of those guys have said they will move up to 205 to fight the big fights. At heavyweight, I think of Kongo, I think of Roy Nelson, I think of a Matt Mitrione rematch and (Mirko) Cro Cop. There’s a lot of big fights for him outside of Cheick Kongo and his opponent this weekend.”

Former Bellator MMA Heavyweight Champion Vitaly Minakov and Cheick Kongo will collide this weekend at Bellator 216.

Coker says the winner of that fight will get the next shot at Bader and the heavyweight championship.

“That is a title elimination fight,” Coker said. “The winner will get a shot at Bader.”

Bellator 216 takes place on Saturday, February 16 from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut with Paul Daley and Michael Page headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on DAZN.