Coker Endorses Bader as the Best Heavyweight Alive
Combat sport athletes dream for the day that a promoter or promotion believes in them enough to, as they say in the business, ‘strap the rocket’ to them in regards to promotion. Bellator double champion Ryan Bader currently does not have that worry.
Bellator president Scott Coker took to social media to tell the world exactly how he felt about his light heavyweight and heavyweight champion.
.@RyanBader is the best heavyweight fighter on the planet. pic.twitter.com/Rd5AS8d3Gh
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) August 18, 2019
Coker made it very clear on Twitter that he believes Bader is the best heavyweight on the planet. The tweet came several moments after Stipe Miocic defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 241 in Anaheim, California.
Bader Agreed With Coker’s Comments
Bader recently spoke to MMA Fighting about being the best in the world.
“For me, I believe that (in regards to being the best). If you don’t believe that, then you shouldn’t be in this sport. I do believe I’m the best in the world,” Bader said when speaking to MMA Fighting. “I believe coming up to heavyweight, I can shine.
“That’s where I feel the best in terms of being agile, speed, cardio, all that kind of stuff plus I have the power. It was nice to get that recognition, too, so now I just have to go out there and continue to prove it.” (via MMA Fighting)
Willing To Prove it
Not only was Bader talking the talk, but he also was willing to walk the walk. Bader also stated that while it was a longshot, he threw the idea of a cross-promotional event with the UFC to face the ex-heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier
“My manager has a relationship with both (organizations) and he threw the idea out there. I don’t think it went too far but it’s one of those things where eventually something like that is going to happen,” Bader said. “You never know. It could happen with us.”
Believing in Himself is All He Needs
While the chances of cross-promotion are slim to none with the UFC, the idea of trying is good enough. Regardless, Bader doesn’t believe he needs to face the likes of Daniel Cormier or Stipe Miocic to prove he is the greatest on the planet.
“What I can do is keep doing what I’ve been doing. Winning fights and staying the champ,” Bader said. “And I’m happy just doing that in Bellator but the competitor in me (knows that) with the public always saying ‘these are the best guys over here’ and that’s not always the case.”
Bader Makes a Good Case
Although Bader never competed in the UFC’s heavyweight division, he did compile a 15-5 record in their light heavyweight division. During that time, Bader took on all-time greats such as Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida, Rampage Jackson, and Rashad Evans.
Also, since moving to Bellator, Bader has been undefeated in the promotion with 5 straight wins dating back to 2017. During that time, he has won both the Bellator Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight titles. He also defeated the likes of King Mo and the legendary Fedor Emelianenko.
Hardcore fans also make the claim that Bellator has more quality heavyweights than any other promotion in the world. Some even think Bader isn’t the best heavyweight in Bellator currently. While that is subjective, the new version of Ryan Bader is not? Whether or not he is the best is up to rankings makers to decide. But one thing is for sure, Scott Coker believing is all that Ryan Bader needs.
