Ryan Bader felt it was simply the right moment to move on. Over a year had passed since his last fight in the PFL, a period marked by his involvement in “The Smashing Machine,” a biopic about Mark Kerr. As the Bellator heavyweight champion, Bader faced uncertainty regarding his next fight, prompting discussions with PFL that led to an amicable split. Despite having one fight remaining on his contract, Bader emphasizes that his departure from PFL was free of animosity, a rare occurrence in fighter-organization separations.
Speaking to MMA Fighting, Bader clarified that leaving PFL was largely his decision. He pointed to his status as Bellator heavyweight champion and the complexities arising from PFL`s acquisition of Bellator, including questions about championship titles and tournament structures, as contributing factors to the ambiguity surrounding his fighting future.
Bader sensed a considerable delay before his next fight and, following productive talks with PFL, both parties agreed to part ways. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome and fondly recalled his time with Bellator.
In his sole PFL appearance, Bader was defeated by Renan Ferreira in February 2024, a fight that determined who would challenge Francis Ngannou in his PFL debut.
Shortly after this fight, Bader received an unexpected opportunity to join the cast of “The Smashing Machine,” alongside Hollywood stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Bader dedicated several months to filming, expressing gratitude to PFL for accommodating this opportunity despite his contractual obligations.
Bader indicated that his current career stage significantly influenced his decision to leave PFL.
At 41, Bader acknowledges that retirement is approaching and that participating in another PFL tournament held limited appeal. Furthermore, the prospect of facing opponents other than rematches seemed slim, given his extensive history with Bellator`s heavyweight division.
“I felt like I didn’t have a ton to prove anymore,” Bader stated, reflecting on his successful Bellator tenure which, however, was beginning to involve repeated matchups. He found PFL tournaments less attractive, considering his substantial purse and the unlikely willingness of any organization to pay such amounts multiple times within a year. The filming schedule further complicated matters, leaving his fighting future unclear.
“For me, it was just perfect timing. It took away that unknown even though I’m in a different unknown, I can kind of steer where I’m going,” Bader explained. He is content with the current situation, cherishes his experiences with both organizations, and anticipates future opportunities, expressing confidence in at least one more fight.
Now a free agent for the first time since 2017, when he transitioned from the UFC to Bellator, Bader is aware of the options available to him.
Similar to his amicable departure from PFL, Bader’s exit from the UFC was also on good terms, maintaining a positive relationship with the organization. This was evident in his return to The Ultimate Fighter as a guest coach alongside Michael Chandler.
Could a UFC return be on the cards for Bader’s final fights?
“My manager and I we definitely talked about how cool it would be come back for even one more fight,” Bader admitted, contemplating a UFC return to conclude his career where it began. He remains open to this possibility, while also acknowledging the allure of other opportunities arising from his movie role, such as fighting in RIZIN in Japan, the location where much of “The Smashing Machine” was filmed and where Mark Coleman achieved significant victories. The UFC, however, remains an appealing option.
“But in my shoes right now, do I want to go fight four more times? No. Business perspective on their side, it would almost be like a farewell kind of deal, one or two fights.”
The UFC is not his only avenue. Bader revealed that offers began pouring in almost immediately after his PFL release.
“I’m leaving everything open right now,” Bader stated, mentioning initial contact from RIZIN and potential “cool things” in discussion. He is also receptive to grappling opportunities on UFC Fight Pass and even a potential boxing deal.
“I’ve been a competitor my whole life and trying to be the best at it. From wrestling, collegiate wrestling, getting into MMA, Ultimate Fighter, 20 fights in the UFC to Bellator and my mindset’s always been win. Just win and take care of itself.”
Above all, Bader aims to enjoy his remaining fights before retiring, without the pressure of title chases or top-ranked opponents.
Having already reached the pinnacle of the sport, Bader now seeks enjoyment in his final performances, aware that his fighting career is nearing its end.
“So I want to have something come up where it’s fun and I can go out and be like this is fun,” Bader concluded. He looks forward to the training, the cage walk, the effort, and the satisfaction of accomplishment, especially victory.
While not setting a specific number of fights, Bader’s future depends on suitable opponents and opportunities. His competitive drive remains, but his mindset has shifted from title aspirations to enjoying the experience. Financial considerations are also important, and with interesting offers already emerging, Bader has time to consider his next move.
Marcus Blakely