Ryan Bader and Renan Ferreira competed in Saudi Arabia to see who would earn a chance at facing the best heavyweight in the world, Francis Ngannou, ahead of Ngannou’s upcoming boxing bout against Anthony Joshua.
Ferreira vs. Bader closed out the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions card on Saturday, with Bellator out to a strong 5-0 lead on the main card.
Bellator heavyweight champ – formerly double champ – Bader has used his wrestling and intelligence to defend his belt against larger men at his advanced age. However, at forty years old, and with a few knockout losses at 205-lbs in the last few years, the knockout artist and PFL 2023 heavyweight champ Renan Ferreira posed an extra threat. Ferreira measured a full half-foot taller than Bader, but has shown wrestling deficiencies in the past.
The bout was over almost before it had begun, as Renan Ferreira’s first punch of the fight dropped Bader like a sack of potatoes. The Brazilian pounced on top as Bader turtled up and the referee stopped it quickly.
This win earned Renan much more than just his win bonus, as he will now earn a minimum of two million dollars to fight Francis Ngannou, as negotiated by Ngannou himself.
Official Result: Renan Ferreira def. Ryan Bader by TKO (punches) Round 1, 0:21
