Bellator 214: Ryan Bader claims heavyweight title over Fedor Emelianenko

Well that didn’t take long. Bellator 214 came to an abrupt finish when American star Ryan Bader landed a history-making blow on the defending champion.

That has got to hurt.

Ryan Bader has sensationally claimed the Bellator heavyweight title with a stunning first round knockout of MMA veteran Fedor Emelianenko.

The American clocked his opponent with a crunching left hook before following up with a vicious right hand that turned Emelianenko’s lights out inside 40 seconds.

It was a sudden end to Bellator’s first heavyweight title fight in almost five years.

Bader, who is already Bellator’s light heavyweight king, has now become the first double champion in the history of the promotion.

JUST LIKE THAT!!!! 💥🤯@RyanBader with the HUGE KO against Fedor Emelianenko!#Bellator214 pic.twitter.com/7fm2XFY1zh

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 27, 2019

Oh man. No one needed to see Fedor get KO’d like that. Brutal. Bader gets it done in short order. He wins the Bellator heavyweight tourney and is the new heavyweight champion. #Bellator214

— Michael Stets (@Michael_Stets) January 27, 2019

Ryan Bader is the first champ-champ in Bellator history. Not that long ago, the UFC let him go when he was the clear No. 1 contender to fight Daniel Cormier.

— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) January 27, 2019

The win makes it seven straight for Bader within the promotion and sees him rule over the two top divisions.

The former Arizona State wrestler showed his dominance in Bellator’s biggest weight classes with two opening-minute stoppages while winning his three bouts in the eight-man Grand Prix.

The quickest loss in the 42-year-old Emelianenko’s storied career also might have been his final fight.

Although he had won seven of his past eight bouts, The Last Emperor (38-6) planned to consider retirement even with a victory — and his chin could no longer hold up to punches from the likes of Bader.

“I want to give it up to that man across the cage from me,” Bader said.

“He’s had a storied career. One of the best to ever do it. It’s an honor for me to be in the cage with him and win the heavyweight title. Lot of respect to him.”

Ryan Bader is the Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight champion 🏆🏆 (we need a title belt emoji)

Surely that's the end of the road for Fedor, finished inside a minute. If so, it's been a pleasure. #Bellator214

— Caden Helmers (@cadenhelmers) January 27, 2019

The 35-year-old Bader is one of the world’s top fighters outside the UFC, where he competed for eight years before leaving in 2017.

He won the light heavyweight title in his first bout for Bellator, and he entered the Grand Prix for the chance to join the small club of fighters to hold two belts simultaneously in a major MMA promotion.

Bader comfortably won his first two Grand Prix fights, stopping Muhammed Lawal and earning a decision over Matt Mitrione.

The vaunted wrestler has been known to make mistakes in striking exchanges during his bouts, but he didn’t even give Fedor a chance to hurt him.

In a co-main event between two elite featherweights from nearby Whittier, California, Henry Corrales stopped promising prospect Aaron Pico with one spectacular punch just 67 seconds in.

Pico knocked down Corrales and nearly finished him in the opening minute, but Corrales got up and landed a right hand to the head, rendering Pico unconscious on his feet.

🤯WOW! What a stunner!!!@HenryCorrales86 shocks everyone!!#Bellator214 pic.twitter.com/Siz1acPVKe

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) January 27, 2019

MAIN CARD RESULTS

Ryan Bader defeated Fedor Emelianenko via KO (punches) R1, 0:35

Henry Corrales defeated Aaron Pico via KO (punches) R1, 1:07

Jake Hager defeated J.W. Kiser via submission (arm triangle choke) R1, 2:09

Juan Archuleta defeated Ricky Bandejas via decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Adel Altamimi defeated Brandon McMahan via submission (armbar) R1, 1:16

Originally published as Bellator 214: Ryan Bader claims heavyweight title over Fedor Emelianenko