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Jon Jones retained his belt by a hair at UFC 239 on Saturday, but his striking output led to a historically-poor fantasy performance by his standards. Richard Mann breaks down the main card by the numbers.
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Not tested in title defense
Bader retained his Bellator Heavyweight Championship by defeating Fedor Emelianenko via TKO (ground and pound) at 2:30 of Round 1 at Bellator 290 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Bader became a two-division champion with a win over Fedor back in 2019, and the rematch didn't go that much differently. He handled everything the heavyweight GOAT threw at him with ease, countering and landing the much more damaging shots. Fedor was on his back before long, and with Bader continuing to rain down shots, referee Herb Dean was forced to step in. All in all, it was the perfect opportunity for Bader. He made the second title defense of his most recent run as champion with ease, plus logged another highlight-reel finish over one of the most popular fighters of all-time. He'll almost certainly be tested more his next time out.
Bader became a two-division champion with a win over Fedor back in 2019, and the rematch didn't go that much differently. He handled everything the heavyweight GOAT threw at him with ease, countering and landing the much more damaging shots. Fedor was on his back before long, and with Bader continuing to rain down shots, referee Herb Dean was forced to step in. All in all, it was the perfect opportunity for Bader. He made the second title defense of his most recent run as champion with ease, plus logged another highlight-reel finish over one of the most popular fighters of all-time. He'll almost certainly be tested more his next time out.
Retains title with ease
Bader defeated Cheick Kongo via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) at Bellator 280 on May 6 in Paris.
ANALYSIS
It was a vintage performance from Bader, who entered as a massive betting favorite against the 46-year-old Kongo. The two had unfinished business from a September 2019 bout that ended in a no-contest due to an eye poke, but there was no uncertainty with who the winner here was. Bader used striking to set up his wrestling, recording a takedown and heavy control time in just about every round. As shown by the scorecards, he didn't lose a round in the eyes of any judges. According to MMAJunkie.com, Bader wasn't particularly happy with what wasn't an aesthetically-pleasing performance, which he attributed to both Kongo's length and the fact he was experiencing an upset stomach before the fight. As for what's next, Bader called for a matchup against surging heavyweight Linton Vassell after the fight.
It was a vintage performance from Bader, who entered as a massive betting favorite against the 46-year-old Kongo. The two had unfinished business from a September 2019 bout that ended in a no-contest due to an eye poke, but there was no uncertainty with who the winner here was. Bader used striking to set up his wrestling, recording a takedown and heavy control time in just about every round. As shown by the scorecards, he didn't lose a round in the eyes of any judges. According to MMAJunkie.com, Bader wasn't particularly happy with what wasn't an aesthetically-pleasing performance, which he attributed to both Kongo's length and the fact he was experiencing an upset stomach before the fight. As for what's next, Bader called for a matchup against surging heavyweight Linton Vassell after the fight.
Regains belt at Bellator 273
Bader defeated Valentin Moldavsky via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) at Bellator 273 on Saturday in Phoenix.
ANALYSIS
Bader fell short last October in a matchup against Corey Anderson in the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, which would have given him a chance to eventually regain the 205-pound strap he lost to Vadim Nemkov in 2020. Now 38 years old, Bader intends to fight exclusively at heavyweight moving forward, which is the weight class where he won the Grand Prix in 2018 by defeating Fedor Emelianenko in the final. Bellator since decided to create an interim heavyweight belt during Bader's time at 205, and this was Bader's bid to win it back. He did so by out-working Moldavsky over the course of 25 minutes, mixed with a few power shots that hit their mark. It's encouraging to see Bader get the victory with his hands even on a night where his wrestling wasn't particularly effective. Now the champion, Bader is currently lined up for a rematch with Cheick Kongo this spring in Paris. The two fought to a no-contest back in 2019 when an accidental eye poke from Bader forced the stoppage, with Bader ultimately retaining the belt.
Bader fell short last October in a matchup against Corey Anderson in the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, which would have given him a chance to eventually regain the 205-pound strap he lost to Vadim Nemkov in 2020. Now 38 years old, Bader intends to fight exclusively at heavyweight moving forward, which is the weight class where he won the Grand Prix in 2018 by defeating Fedor Emelianenko in the final. Bellator since decided to create an interim heavyweight belt during Bader's time at 205, and this was Bader's bid to win it back. He did so by out-working Moldavsky over the course of 25 minutes, mixed with a few power shots that hit their mark. It's encouraging to see Bader get the victory with his hands even on a night where his wrestling wasn't particularly effective. Now the champion, Bader is currently lined up for a rematch with Cheick Kongo this spring in Paris. The two fought to a no-contest back in 2019 when an accidental eye poke from Bader forced the stoppage, with Bader ultimately retaining the belt.
Bounces back with win over Machida
Bader defeated Lyoto Machida via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45) at Bellator 256 on Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.
ANALYSIS
Bader had to power through a difficult first round in which Machida landed several hard body kicks, but it was all uphill from there for the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. The veteran and former top UFC contender leaned on his wrestling the rest of the way out, successfully scoring takedowns in each subsequent round on the 42-year-old Machida. From there, Bader did a number on Machida's face by way of heavy ground-and-pound, leaving no doubt who won this fight in the eyes of the judges. While Bader lost his 205-pound belt to Vadim Nemkov in his last fight back in August, his quest to regain the belt started Friday. He'll advance in the light heavyweight grand prix to take on the winner of Corey Anderson and Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, with the possibility of a rematch against Nemkov awaiting if Bader can make it to the finals.
Bader had to power through a difficult first round in which Machida landed several hard body kicks, but it was all uphill from there for the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. The veteran and former top UFC contender leaned on his wrestling the rest of the way out, successfully scoring takedowns in each subsequent round on the 42-year-old Machida. From there, Bader did a number on Machida's face by way of heavy ground-and-pound, leaving no doubt who won this fight in the eyes of the judges. While Bader lost his 205-pound belt to Vadim Nemkov in his last fight back in August, his quest to regain the belt started Friday. He'll advance in the light heavyweight grand prix to take on the winner of Corey Anderson and Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, with the possibility of a rematch against Nemkov awaiting if Bader can make it to the finals.
First loss in four years
Bader lost his Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship belt to Vadim Nemkov after he was defeated via TKO (head kick and punches) at 3:02 of Round 2 at Bellator 244 on Friday.
ANALYSIS
Bader came out and had a competitive first round, as he was able to execute a takedown (albeit briefly) and connect in the striking game towards the end of the frame. It all started going downhill in Round 2, however, as Nemkov started to get a feel for his range, first landing a high kick that floored Bader. The champion showed extreme toughness to survive and get briefly back to his feet, but Nemkov was far from finished. He sent Bader back to the canvas, this time with his fists, and the show was over shortly afterwards. Referee Kerry Hatley gave Bader more than enough time to hang on and survive, but it was clear he couldn't let this go on much longer. Bader was effectively dealt his first loss since January of 2016, when he was knockout out in the UFC Octagon by Anthony "Rumble" Johnson. He still owns Bellator's heavyweight belt, but it would be a surprise for Bader to seek anything other than an immediate rematch here.
Bader came out and had a competitive first round, as he was able to execute a takedown (albeit briefly) and connect in the striking game towards the end of the frame. It all started going downhill in Round 2, however, as Nemkov started to get a feel for his range, first landing a high kick that floored Bader. The champion showed extreme toughness to survive and get briefly back to his feet, but Nemkov was far from finished. He sent Bader back to the canvas, this time with his fists, and the show was over shortly afterwards. Referee Kerry Hatley gave Bader more than enough time to hang on and survive, but it was clear he couldn't let this go on much longer. Bader was effectively dealt his first loss since January of 2016, when he was knockout out in the UFC Octagon by Anthony "Rumble" Johnson. He still owns Bellator's heavyweight belt, but it would be a surprise for Bader to seek anything other than an immediate rematch here.