Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader is preparing to fight King Mo in the opening round of the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix at Bellator 199.
If there was one fighter that Bader definitely wants to fight in the grand prix, it would be Fedor Emelianenko.
“If I had my pick to fight somebody in the final, I’d love to fight Fedor in the finals,” Bader said to MMA Junkie. “I think everybody in this tournament, that’s their pick. He’s a legend of the sport, and to cap it off with a win over him to be the heavyweight champion? That’s the ultimate fairytale right there. But I can see either of those guys advancing, and I could even see Chael making it.”
Emelianenko faces former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir in the opening round of the grand prix, with their bout happening at Bellator 198.
Bader also has his eyes set on other grand prix opponents, including Mir and Chael Sonnen.
“Each of them bring their own thing. Fedor has the mystique about him and beating him, he’s a legend. But Chael’s also going to be running his mouth to build the fight. That’s a fun fight. I’ve always wanted to step in there with him. And Mir too – he’s got skills, and I’d like to test that. But I’ve got to win my side too, and that’s what I’m focusing on,” says Bader.
Bellator 199 takes place on Saturday, May 12 from the SAP Center in San Jose, California with Ryan Bader and King Mo headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on the Paramount Network.
