A big Bellator Light Heavyweight match could be made soon.
A highly-anticipated match-up is in the works for Bellator 244 as Ryan Bader will defend the light world heavyweight championship against Vadim Nemkov on August 21. Originally, these two were set to clash on May 9; however, the title bout was scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic. MMA Junkie first reported the news, though the match-up hasn’t been made public as its not finalized just yet.
Since capturing the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship back in June 2017, the Ultimate Fighter Season 8 winner has beaten Linton Vassell, Muhammed Lawal (King Mo), Matt Mitrione, and Fedor Emelianenko. Bader defeated Emelianenko to win the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix and captured the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. The two-division champion’s professional record stands at 27 wins, 5 losses, and 1 no contest.
Vadim Nemkov enters the championship bout in the midst of a six-fight winning streak, with his last win coming over Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 230 in October 2019. The light heavyweight has yet to secure a title within any promotion; however, Nemkov has gotten impressive victories over fighters such as Liam McGeary, Philipe Lins, and Mikołaj Różanski. Nemkov’s professional record stands at 11 wins and 2 losses.