Bellator MMA 214 featured the finals of the Heavyweight Grand-Prix pitting Light-heavyweight champion Ryan Bader against the legendary Fedor Emelianenko.
Despite the major hype and promotion of the event, Bader closed out Emelianenko just 35 seconds into the fight after a big left-hook and a vicious uppercut to seal the victory.
JUST LIKE THAT!!!! 💥🤯@RyanBader with the HUGE KO against Fedor Emelianenko!#Bellator214 pic.twitter.com/7fm2XFY1zh
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 27, 2019
The American’s win signifies Bellator’s first ever double-weight champion.
“To be a two-division champion, it’s surreal man,” Bader said. “What a night.”
This mark’s Bader’s seventh consecutive win – fourth in the Bellator MMA promotion and brings his record to 27-5.
Bader took down Muhammed Lawal and Matt Mitrione en route to facing Emelianenko. His 42-year-old Russian counterpart earned first-round finishes of Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen to get to the finals.
Elsewhere on the card, former professional WWE star Jake Hager or commonly known as Jack Swagger, won his MMA debut against J.W Kiser. A triangle arm choke in round one was sufficient for his first taste of victory.
👊@RealJackSwagger 👊comes away with the W tonight!
Were you watching when he made history coast to coast on @ParamountNet and simulcast on @DAZN_USA?#Bellator214 pic.twitter.com/VKSadMgEiC— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 27, 2019
Hager joins the growing list of former WWE athletes to make the switch to mixed martial arts – which includes Bobby Lashley, Dave Bautista, and of course Brock Lesnar.
Leave a comment
