Ryan Bader Says Bellator Parent Company Viacom 'Doesn't Want To Pay' For A Replacement Fight At Bellator 300

Originally posted on MMA News | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated 10/4/23

Bellator Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader was willing to face a short-notice opponent before the top of the business hierarchy stepped in.

Bader was supposed to face Linton Vassell in the Bellator 300 main event this weekend in San Diego, CA. Vassell withdrew from the fight earlier this week due to an illness, moving Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Brent Primus to the headline slot.

A replacement opponent isn't expected to be named for Bader at Bellator 300 and the promotion is looking to reschedule him for another event.

However, Bader was willing to face another heavyweight contender on days' notice for his next title defense. But, Bellator's parent company Viacom allegedly blocked the promotion from seeking a replacement fight.

Bader Makes Concerning Claim About Bellator 300 Fight Fallout

After one Instagram user pitched a replacement fight for Bader, the Bellator heavyweight champion accused the promotion's parent company of prioritizing money over competition.

"We told Bellator we are good with anything and it looks like Viacom doesn't want to pay," Bader alleged. "They are out Oct and this falling through saves them money."

Bellator is in the middle of a structural transition as it's nearing a possible purchase by the Professional Fighters League. As of this writing, nothing has been finalized, although the PFL has been mentioned as a frontrunner to purchase the promotion.

Bader earned the Bellator heavyweight title by defeating Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 214. He's gone on to defend the belt against Valentin Moldavsky, Cheick Kongo, and Emelianenko to cement himself as one of the top heavyweights in the world.

Short-notice fights sometimes don't come to fruition because of the physical toll of a last-minute weight cut for a replacement, but that's rarely the case at heavyweight. This time around, Bader being barred from exploring other opponent options allegedly came down to money.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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