It’s settled: Two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader is defending his heavyweight title next.
On Thursday, the promotion announced that Bader will return Sept. 7 when he puts his belt on the line against French striker Cheick Kongo in the night’s main event at Bellator 226.
Bader (27-5 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) captured the heavyweight strap after winning the Bellator heavyweight grand prix with a 35-second knockout of Russian legend Fedor Emelianenko in the tournament final last January. That victory also saw him become a two-division champion, with the heavyweight title joining the light heavyweight strap he won from Phil Davis in his promotional debut back in June 2017.
He’ll face fellow former UFC veteran Kongo (30-10 MMA, 12-2 BMMA), who earned his shot at gold on the heels of an eight-fight winning streak that stretches all the way back to June 2015.
Bellator 226, set for the SAP Center in San Jose, also will mark the start of the promotion’s eagerly anticipated 16-man featherweight grand prix. Although Bellator officials initially announced earlier this year that the eight opening-round bouts would all take place on the same card, a promotion official told MMA Junkie that will no longer be the case.
Bellator officials have subsequently confirmed to MMA Junkie that the opening round of the tournament will now be split between Bellator 226 and Bellator 227 on Sept. 28 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
The only confirmed matchup at this time will see reigning two-division Bellator champ Patricio Freire put his 145-pound title on the line against rising contender Juan Archuleta, which is set for Sept. 28.
For more on Bellator 226, check out the MMA schedule.
