Ryan Bader Explains Departure from PFL: ‘Doing things because I want to, not because I have to’

Former Bellator MMA heavyweight champion and UFC alum, Ryan Bader has opened up on his recent split from the PFL (Professional Fighters League), joining a lengthy list of standout fighters who have departed the Donn Davis-led outfit this year.

Bader, a former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion during his lengthy run with Bellator MMA, has been matched up just once since the promotion’s merger with PFL.

And making his SmartCage debut back in February of last year, Ultimate Fighter winner, Bader suffered a devastating opening round knockout loss to Brazilian contender, Renan Ferreira in the Middle East.

Prior to that loss, Bader had defended the Bellator MMA heavyweight crown the year prior with a first round knockout win of his own against Russian icon, Fedor Emelianenko.

And speaking on his departure from PFL, Ryan Bader claimed “everything was up in the air” in terms of matchup once the merger with Bellator MMA had been complete.

Ryan Bader talks PFL exit this week

Noting his intentions to continue in combat sports before too long, Bader, 41, claimed a potential swansong outing in the UFC would be “cool” also.

“At 41, I’m not fighting much longer, but I’m looking for some fun stuff—whether that’s MMA fights, grappling, or boxing,” Ryan Bader told Submission Radio during a recent interview. “I’ve kind of moved past chasing titles and defending them. Now, it’s about finding cool opportunities that excite me and doing things because I want to, not because I have to.”

Leaving the Octagon back in 2016, Bader would go to Bellator MMA off the back of a victory against Minotouro Nogueira via knockout.

Never competing for Octagon spoils during his impressive run, Bader had amassed notable wins over the likes of Vinny Magalhaes, Keith Jardine, Rampage Jackson, Ovince Saint-Preux, Phil Davis, Rashad Evans, and Ilir Latifi of note.