Bellator 268’s co-main event, one of two light heavyweight grand prix semifinal fights to take place in Phoenix on Saturday, had a big-fight feel to it.
Because it was a big fight. Chuck those UFC-colored glasses to the side for a moment, and you’ll recognize that Bader vs. Anderson would be a high-level fight in any promotion on the planet. At 38, Ryan Bader certainly seemed to still have something in the rank. Anderson, meanwhile, had found the finish in his last three wins, dating back to his UFC run.
Anderson might have actually set the mood, walking out to Five to One by The Doors, lines like “the old get old and the young get stronger” echoing through the arena. And early in the fight, the elder fighter was dropped and under heavy fire. Anderson’s right hand connected, and down Bader went. Corey Anderson was then on top of Bader like white on rice, and absolutely unleashed hell. He had the guns, and he had the numbers, a heavy volume of ground n’ pound raining down on Bader.
Bader scrambled, tried as best he could to escape the barrage. But Anderson stayed on him, and the punches never stopped. That sent the ref in, giving Corey Anderson the win — unquestionably the biggest of his career.
.@CoreyA_MMA moves onto the world Grand Prix finals. #Bellator268 pic.twitter.com/AiXWZk3Q7T
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) October 17, 2021
Anderson moves to 3-0 in Bellator with the victory, all three coming by finish. He also punched his ticket, quite literally on the punching front, to the light heavyweight grand prix final — with the title, and a million dollars, on the line.
Official Result: Corey Anderson def. Ryan Bader by TKO, Round 1, 0:51
