Former UFC fighter and new Bellator MMA signee Ryan Bader is taking on light heavyweight champion Phil Davis at Bellator 180.
Although Bader spent the majority of his career in the UFC, the fighter is poised to make even more money in his Bellator MMA tenure.
“It will be three to four times what I was getting with Reebok, for sure,” Bader told MMA Junkie. “I had a couple really good blue-chip sponsors that have stood by us through the whole Reebok deal that are still there – like the American Ethanols and things of that sort. Then we got some new sponsors coming on board. We’re full for this fight.”
Bader and Davis first collided a few years back at UFC On Fox 14, with Bader walking away victorious via a decision.
When Bader opted to sign with Bellator MMA, the thought was that it would be harder to find good sponsors. The UFC veteran wants everybody to know that it’s not true.
“People are like, ‘Oh, you’re in Bellator, so it’s going to be harder to find sponsors,'” Bader said. “That wasn’t the case at all. There’s more opportunity in that aspect, and we’re full. I’m getting much more money than I was in the UFC in sponsorship revenue. I’m feeling good, I’m excited, and I’m happy to be in Bellator. I’m coming for the belt, and I can’t wait. I’m going to make the best of it.”
Bellator 180 takes place on Saturday, June 24 from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York with Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
