The win was a big one for Kongo, who now gets the next shot at current Bellator MMA Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader.
Kongo had previously demanded that Bader simply hand him the title, with those comments sparking a Twitter battle between champion and future challenger:
Hey congrats @kongo4real but you talk like that after that performance --?? There is a reason you weren’t invited into the Heavyweight Grand Prix, what’s that tell you??? I’ll let YOU know what title I decide to defend. Until then, excuse my FRENCH & f*ck off https://t.co/Npgl56H7pG
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) February 17, 2019
This belt ain't yours & you know it. Good for you if the Bellator gave it to you. Do I need to remind you who I just beat? Guess what, I'm coming for what I EARNED & DESERVE. Fight like the HW Champion you wanna be or leave it to whom it belongs. Et va te faire foutre au passage. https://t.co/XkEDQjMz7s
— Cheick Kongo (@kongo4real) February 17, 2019
Who’d you just beat? I fell asleep. Yeah @BellatorMMA just gave me the belt, not like I won the heavyweight tourney or anything. Sorry you weren’t invited to the party https://t.co/wPtiOOmRTh
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) February 17, 2019
There is no word yet on when the championship bout will take place, as Bader has fought already this year as well, defeating Fedor Emelianenko to win the heavyweight title and Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 214.
