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Ryan Bader made history Saturday night at Bellator 214.
With a thunderous 35-second knockout of MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko, Bader not only took top honors in Bellator’s heavyweight grand prix and captured the promotion’s vacant heavyweight title, he also became the first-ever simultaneous two-division champion in Bellator history — and he did it with ease. One lead left hook was enough to down the Russian titan, who at 42 years old may be nearing the end of a fabled MMA career.
Check out reaction to Bader’s big win below, plus the best of the rest from a wild night at Bellator 214 that also saw Henry Corrales stun Aaron Pico via first-round knockout.
RYAN BADER DEF. FEDOR EMELIANENKO
Champ, Champ! pic.twitter.com/UdTsXQADLe
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) January 27, 2019
It’s sad to see a legend lose like this. Always a fan. Fedor is the greatest ever no matter what happened. #Bellator214
— Patricky Freire (@PatrickyPitbull) January 27, 2019
Fedor's a legend and will always be, this doesn't take anything away from his legacy. The GOAT. We love you. #Bellator214
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) January 27, 2019
Yep I'm sad
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) January 27, 2019
Wow! That Bader lead jab/hook is deadly. #bellator214
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 27, 2019
What in the blue blazes @ryanbader @BellatorMMA just like that! pic.twitter.com/bcu64Z6zxv
— Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) January 27, 2019
Wow congrats @ryanbader! First 2 division champion for @bellatormma also looking good in the @apemanstrong gear #champchamp #mma #ufc #bellator @ Parkland, Florida https://t.co/i4tYpJzJYH
— CB Dollaway (@cbdollaway) January 27, 2019
Fedor :/
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) January 27, 2019
Legend, save yourself
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) January 27, 2019
Wow @ryanbader , I am legit sad to see the last emperor go out like that , but Bader’s run in Bellator has been nothing short of incredible. This guy is killing shit , way to rep America.
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 27, 2019
Wow @ryanbader congrats champ what a performance. Short and sharp #bellator214 #champchamp
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) January 27, 2019
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) January 27, 2019
Right on @ryanbader! #ASU #Bellator214
— Mike Pierce (@MikePierce170) January 27, 2019
Ryan Bader. Fantastic
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) January 27, 2019
Oh ok, Bader. #Bellator214
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) January 27, 2019
WOOOOW!!!!! #Bellator214 #Bader
— Tim Johnson (@tbeartim) January 27, 2019
@Ryanbader congrats @BellatorMMA
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) January 27, 2019
HENRY CORRALES DEF. AARON PICO
It’s a ruthless game... #bellator214
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 27, 2019
I went nuts that was so badass! @BellatorMMA
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) January 27, 2019
Corrales has been watching @dc_mma vs stipe. #BELLATOR214
— éS (@EricSpicely) January 27, 2019
The game is crazy
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) January 27, 2019
That was brutal! #Bellator214
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) January 27, 2019
Wow ... that was big change of direction ... #Bellator
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) January 27, 2019
WHOOOOOO! @HenryCorrales86
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) January 27, 2019
Y’all sleepin on @HenryCorrales86 that boy hits hard
— Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) January 27, 2019
Wowwww #bellator214
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) January 27, 2019
That's my boy! So happy for Henry he is a fucking animal
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) January 27, 2019
Henry is a goddamn Terminator Stone, cold killer face. #Bellatoe214
— "Tango" Te Edwards (@tango_mma) January 27, 2019
Why do people act surprised when a reckless fighter gets KO’ed? Big gloves, little gloves. It matters not. If you are straight in front of your opponent in the pocket trading shots, guess what? You are in the line of fire and will eventually get hit...badly.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 27, 2019
Damn......I still believe Pico to be among the elite of Bellator’s 145 pound division. In wrestling, he always marched guys down with a certain disregard to them scoring on him. He can’t fight the way he wrestles, it doesn’t translate well. In a few years, he’ll be champ.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) January 27, 2019
Man This sport is unforgiving , I hate seeing a 22 year kid get hit like that , soo talented and skilled at such a young age . Hope he takes the proper time off and let his brain rest properly . He has a bright future regardless of this result . I am fan
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 27, 2019
I am guilty of doing the same thing Pico just did , everyone gets excited and makes mistakes while going for the kill , I have been dropped a lot for my impatience. The only way to learn better is to make the mistake
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 27, 2019
Man!!#Bellator214
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 27, 2019
So happy for you @HenryCorrales86 !! #hardworkpaysoff @TheMMALAB Title shot next @BellatorMMA #fb https://t.co/uJuQHrWYHI
— Jocelyn J Lybarger (@mmajocelyn) January 27, 2019
Sometimes hype ain’t enough. #bellator214
— éS (@EricSpicely) January 27, 2019
Henry muthafuckkin CORRALES !!!! https://t.co/IxxmgUrMyN
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) January 27, 2019
You were right https://t.co/qhglemQ6cy
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) January 27, 2019
Congrats @HenryCorrales86 !!! @BellatorMMA #Bellator214
— Emmanuel Sanchez (@ElMatador145) January 27, 2019
"At my best I've lived a mediocre life. I'm ready to die in this mother fucker"
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) January 27, 2019
You should take this one with your tail between your legs @patriciopitbull RT @MMAFighting: Corrales calls out Patricio Pitbull: "I'm ready for that belt. That's five straight since joining The MMA LAB. I've got my shit together out there in the desert in Arizona." #Bellator214
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 27, 2019
Lots of power. No chin. #Bellator214
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) January 27, 2019
At this point, let's make
— Olivier Aubin (@oliaubin) January 27, 2019
Pico Vs Northcutt
JAKE HAGER DEF. J.W. KISER
R truth is on tv rapping right now! Seriously he’s rapping and I like his song. He walked @RealJackSwagger to the cage. Man this is awesome!!!!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 27, 2019
I’m so confused by this walk out for a pro debut @BellatorMMA ?? #Bellator214 #fb
— Jocelyn J Lybarger (@mmajocelyn) January 27, 2019
As a MMA ambassador I welcome all the @WWE guys to compete with us. Let’s make the sport entertaining again. @BellatorMMA
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) January 27, 2019
Congrats to @RealJackSwagger
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) January 27, 2019
My @MizzouWrestling team competed against OU and @realjackswagger many times in college. He was as scary then as he is now. Impressive win. Holding it down for the college wrestlers!#bellator214
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 27, 2019
Congrats on win @RealJackSwagger https://t.co/ECPR1g1j6F
— Bobby Lashley (@fightbobby) January 27, 2019
That guy has the winner of Fedor and Bader #wethepeople
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) January 27, 2019
Um, the guy has had ONE fight.
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) January 27, 2019
Good on him for getting out there and fighting and a quick finish at that. https://t.co/GKdtKoD23G
@RealJackSwagger congrats welcome to the fight!
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) January 27, 2019
JUAN ARCHULETA DEF. RICKY BANDEJAS
Archuleta vs Bandejas is about to be a SCRAP! #bellator214
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 27, 2019
Bandejas is pretty sharp. Good striking IQ.
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) January 27, 2019
Fuck that @rickybandejas won that ... hurt him 3 times , and shut down almost every takedown .
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) January 27, 2019
Bbbbbbboringgg
— Mike Kimbel (@kimbelmike) January 27, 2019
That rangy length of Ricky Bandejas is tough to deal with. He uses it well. I think Bandejas landed more in that 3rd RD with the elbows to defend TDs and striking on the feet. I think 29-28 Archuleta.#Bellator214
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) January 27, 2019
Congrats to @jarchmma on his @BellatorMMA victory ! Now check him out on my show @menaceandtheman !!! https://t.co/CU7GIHai0G
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) January 27, 2019
Good fight between Archuleta and Bandejas. I wanna fight them. Archuleta could be at 135 or 145 @BellatorMMA @rtemike @jgjoia @edblackhouse @PatricioPitbull @PatrickyPitbull . #bellator214
— Leandro Higo (@LeandroHigoMMA) January 27, 2019
Rolled into LA Forum like a G and walking out with a big win and a pocket full of cash! Congrats @jarchmma https://t.co/6yktsOoTz5
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) January 27, 2019
ADEL ALTAMIMI DEF. BRANDON MCMAHON
That was a slick transition and finish! #bellator
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) January 27, 2019
My dude @Adelaltamimi16 with his first @bellatormma WIN tonight! Love you brother #mergingveteransandplayers #mvp #veteran #iraq #mma #jiujitsu #prizefighter @prattprattpratt… https://t.co/sVCOVQ3G8e
— Shane Kruchten (@SKRUCHTENMMA) January 27, 2019
Poll
Whose Bellator 214 performance stood out to you the most?
This poll is closed
-
32%
Ryan Bader def. Fedor Emelianenko
-
55%
Henry Corrales def. Aaron Pico
-
8%
Jake Hager def. J.W. Kiser
-
0%
Juan Archuleta def. Ricky Bandejas
-
2%
Adel Altamimi def. Brandon McMahan