Full Contact Fighter Database

Home

>

News

>

Article

Media

Sunday, Dec 27, 2020

Scott Coker: Ryan Bader Considering Rematch With Vadim Nemkov

Ryan Bader (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

After Ryan Bader lost Bellator’s light heavyweight title to Vadim Nemkov in August, it looked like the decorated fighter planned to defend his heavyweight belt next. But, Bellator President Scott Coker’s reporting Bader’s camp has reached out regarding a possible rematch with Nemkov.

Bader (27-6, 1 no-contest) faced Nemkov at Bellator 244, and was stopped in round two by the Russian fighter. The loss marked the first time in 9 bouts that Bader had been defeated.

Since Bader hasn’t fought at heavyweight since last September, the expectation was that he would defend that title next. But, while talking to MMA Junkie recently, Coker reported this.

“We were definitely heading in that direction, then I got a call recently from his management saying that he would like to consider fighting Nemkov again,” Coker said. “So to me, we haven’t flushed it out, but I think there is a desire for a rematch for that fight. If it happens, I’m not sure, but we’re definitely going to have a conversation with him about it because we were all about him getting into the heavyweight division and defending his belt, but that could change in the next couple of weeks.”

Coker did say that if Bader opts to fight at light heavyweight, he may need to explore vacating the heavyweight title at some juncture.

“I think he might have to make a decision at that point, but we’ll talk it through because he’s our champ, but we also want to let the belt continue on,” Coker said. “If you really want to fight Nemkov, we have to have a conversation at some point.”

Nemkov (12-2) hasn gone 5-0 to date in Bellator and has won 7 straight.

posted by FCF Staff @ 12:42 pm
Have a comment about this story? Please share with us by filling out the fields below.

Comments are closed.