Ryan Bader stops Fedor Emelianenko in 35 seconds to win second belt

Sport 10:45 27.01.2019

Ryan Bader wrote several notes to himself to prepare for mixed martial arts legend Fedor Emelianenko, detailing several ways he saw the fight playing out.

So much of that homework remained in reserve Saturday night, as Bader needed only 35 seconds to knock out Emelianenko in the Bellator MMA heavyweight grand prix final at the Forum.

Bader (27-5), a former Pac-10 champion wrestler at Arizona State, decked Emelianenko (38-6) with a left hook planted above the chin, sending the Russian to the canvas. There, Bader slugged Emelianenko in the head with a powerful right hand and followed with two hammer punches that convinced referee Mike Beltran to stop the fight.

Bader, the light-heavyweight champion, became Bellator’s first fighter to hold two titles at once, and he said he’ll defend them both.

Emelianenko, 42, said last week that he was considering retirement, and after the fight Bader was quick to show his respect.

“He’s one of the best to ever do it,” Bader said. “To win the heavyweight title against that man …”

Bellator President Scott Coker said “it’s time” for Emelianenko to retire, and envisioned a “retirement tour” for him with stops in Moscow, China and New York.

Emelianenko, a former Pride Fighting Championships heavyweight champion, won 27 consecutive fights in his prime, and Bader said he tried not to think about that before the fight.

“Not only that, there’s a lot at stake with the title on the line,” Bader said. “It’s surreal. What a night.”

Bader, who spoke of being ready to lean on his wrestling skill and cardio should the fight go into the late rounds, said he also worked on that left hand that floored Emelianenko.

“I saw him go down pretty hard. We practiced that [punch for when] he was setting up that right hand,” Bader said.

Another sudden finish was recorded in the co-main event: Henry Corrales responded remarkably to a knockdown punch from his younger Whittier neighbor Aaron Pico and answered by slinging a right-handed punch that struck Pico flush on the jaw, knocking him down to set up the stunning ending just 67 seconds into their fight.

Corrales (17-3) went down on a hard right uppercut by the Freddie Roach-trained Pico, but Corrales said he’s “at my best” when adversity arises.

Instead of trying to force a wrestling match that might’ve served him better, Pico (4-2) followed his knockdown blow by landing a knee to Corrales’ body, delivering punches to the gut when Corrales suddenly winged the blow that felled Pico.

“What’s done is done. Who the ... is next?” Corrales asked inside the cage. “That’s five straight [victories while training in Arizona]. I’ve got my stuff together.”

Earlier, with UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, former UFC title challenger Joe Stevenson and UFC featherweight Cub Swanson in his corner, Hesperia’s Juan Archuleta (22-1) beat Ricky Bandejas by unanimous-decision scores of 29-28, and he asked for a showdown with Bellator bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell.

Torrance’s Adel Altamimi (8-5) opened the nationally televised portion of the card with a first-round submission by armbar of Brandon McMahan at 1:16.

Former WWE performer Jake Hager made short work of J.W. Kiser in Hager’s Bellator debut, getting Kiser to the mat and delivering elbows that enabled him to pursue a choke hold. Kiser tapped out at 2:09 of the first round.

 


Ilham Aliyev participates in High Level Segment of 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin - VİDEO

News line

US Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Discusses Expectations for COP29 and Cooperation with Azerbaijan - INTERVIEW
16:22 26.04.2024
Working Group Evaluates Demining Efforts in Aghdam - PHOTOS
16:00 26.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: We highly value ongoing peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:29 26.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev and Chancellor Scholz making press statements - VİDEO
15:12 26.04.2024
Ambassador: Honest Baku-Yerevan negotiations may lead to positive results
14:58 26.04.2024
Armenia forced millions of people to leave their homes - Lawyer Talmon
14:51 26.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev’s expanded meeting with Olaf Scholz commences in Berlin
14:17 26.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev holds one-on-one meeting with Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz
14:00 26.04.2024
Azerbaijani President: ‘Our green agenda started to materialize prior to being awarded COP29’
13:42 26.04.2024
Germany's Scholz says new approach to combating climate change needed
13:29 26.04.2024
"Are NATO Forces Planning an Attack on Russia?" - Insightful Commentary from British Politician
13:14 26.04.2024
Tensions Rise as Chad Considers Expelling US Forces: US influence in Africa tumbles
Tensions Rise as Chad Considers Expelling US Forces: US influence in Africa tumbles
13:00 26.04.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: As the host country of COP29, Azerbaijan is in active phase of preparation
12:45 26.04.2024
Ilham Aliyev participates in High Level Segment of 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin - VİDEO
12:32 26.04.2024
Details of the expected peace agreement are explained by a political scientist
12:20 26.04.2024
The anniversary of the so-called "Armenian genocide" was held in Iran - PHOTOS
12:09 26.04.2024
Blinken expected in Israel on Tuesday to discuss Rafah operation, hostage deal - Media
Blinken expected in Israel on Tuesday to discuss Rafah operation, hostage deal - Media
11:54 26.04.2024
COP29 delegation meets Spanish minister for ecological transition
11:53 26.04.2024
Russian-Turkish Monitoring Centre in Azerbaijan's Aghdam ceased its activity - VİDEO
11:40 26.04.2024
ISW: If Russia captures Chasov Yar, this will open the way for it to the “defense belt”
11:22 26.04.2024
Chinese FM warns about possible risk of further expansion of Ukraine war
10:50 26.04.2024
Zelensky: 'NATO countries are afraid of Russia'
10:38 26.04.2024
Azerbaijani police discovered explosive devices in Khojavand
10:23 26.04.2024
Greece refuses to provide Ukraine with Patriot systems
10:12 26.04.2024
Price of Azerbaijan oil drops
Price of Azerbaijan oil drops
10:00 26.04.2024
Azerbaijani minister mulls preparations for COP29 with Annalena Baerbock
09:50 26.04.2024
US expands its sanctions list on Iran
US expands its sanctions list on Iran
09:38 26.04.2024
Azerbaijan relocates another 39 families to Fuzuli city
09:26 26.04.2024
Media: US Embassy in Russia is testing water quality to avoid being poisoned
09:00 26.04.2024
Armenian lobby plans provocative rally during Azerbaijani President's Germany visit
00:35 26.04.2024
Xavi agrees to remain Barcelona coach
Xavi agrees to remain Barcelona coach
22:00 25.04.2024
Plane of Azerbaijani President leaves for Berlin from Fuzuli Airport for first time
21:00 25.04.2024
20 border posts installed on Azerbaijan-Armenia border
20:00 25.04.2024
This could be the end of the world economy - Predictions from English politologue
19:25 25.04.2024
Anti-Azerbaijan and Türkiye banners raised in Ukraine on Anniversary of So-Called Armenian Genocide - VİDEO
Anti-Azerbaijan and Türkiye banners raised in Ukraine on Anniversary of So-Called Armenian Genocide - VİDEO
18:50 25.04.2024
Deadly floods wreak havoc in Kenya’s capital
18:29 25.04.2024
Armenia Continues Unsubstantiated Claims Against Azerbaijan in The Hague Court - VİDEO
18:08 25.04.2024
Polish FM: Russia's attack on NATO will result in Moscow's defeat
17:55 25.04.2024
China Facilitates Arms Trade Route Between North Korea and Russia, US Satellite Observations Reveal
17:48 25.04.2024
More than 100 prisoners escaped from prison due to rains in Nigeria
More than 100 prisoners escaped from prison due to rains in Nigeria
17:32 25.04.2024
Hamısı