Bellator has a new light heavyweight champion after the title changed hands in dramatic fashion at Bellator 244 on Friday night.
Russia’s Vadim Nemkov stepped into the “FightSphere” and dethroned two-division champion Ryan Bader in the main event in Uncasville to claim the promotion’s 205-pound title and in the process avenge the defeat of his mentor, Fedor Emelianenko.
Bader (27-6 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) finished “The Last Emperor” in just 35 seconds in the Bellator heavyweight grand prix as he captured the heavyweight title and became the promotion’s first simultaneous two-division champion.
But Nemkov (13-2 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) exacted painful revenge as he dropped Bader with a head kick, then battered “Darth” until referee Kerry Hatley waved off the bout at the 3:02 mark of the second round.
Bellator 244 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card aired on Paramount Network and DAZN after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Check out the official highlights of the night, courtesy of Bellator, via the video above.
