Ryan Bader (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Ryan Bader is set to defend Bellator’s light heavyweight belt against Vadim Nemkov on Friday, and “Darth” believes the bout could determine who is the best fighter in the weight class.

Bader will battle Nemkov in the headliner of Bellator 244, which is taking place in Uncasville, Connecticut. The fight is going down, not long after Jon Jones announced he’s vacating the UFC’s light heavyweight title to make a run at heavyweight.

While talking about that fact, and what it could mean for his bout with Nemkov recently, Bader said this (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“Arguably, right now you can say the winner of this fight is one of the best light heavyweights right now that’s out there,” Bader said. “DC retired and had a great career. He was always up there. Then, obviously, Jon Jones was one of the greatest of all time. I think that the whole division was in his shadow. Him moving up definitely opens it up.

“With my accomplishments, it’s not like I haven’t been there. I was a top-five guy consistently in there. I’ve grown as a fighter since I came over here – tremendously. Yeah, you can argue the winner of this fight is the best light heavyweight right now.”

Bader (27-5, 1 no-contest) will be fighting for the first time since September, when his bout with Cheick Kongo was declared a no contest, due to an accidental eye poke the latter took. Bader retained the heavyweight title in the fight.

The American is riding an eight-fight, undefeated streak.

Nemkov (11-2), on the other hand, is coming off a submission win over former middleweight champ Rafael Carvalho in October. The Russian fighter has won six in a row.