One of the best fighters of the decade who was not in the UFC, Ryan Bader, reportedly is a free agent.
Things have been messy for the Professional Fighters League heading into their 2025 season. They have done away with their patented league format and are instead going with a tournament approach this year. They have also been dealing with a slew of fighters unhappy with how they have been used following PFL’s purchase of rival MMA promotion Bellator in 2023.
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After cutting ties with Bellator legend Patrico Pitbull last month, veteran MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed on Thursday that PFL and Ryan Bader have also agreed to part ways. The former Bellator two-division champion is sure to draw interest from his former employer, UFC. Due to his ability to compete both at light heavyweight and heavyweight.
If Bader does return to the Octagon this year, here are six opponents we would love to see him face.
6 opponents for Ryan Bader’s potential return to the UFC
Ciryl Gane
Ciryl Gane is one of the best heavyweights in the world. However, grappling continues to be a major Achilles’ heel. If he is ever to become the undisputed UFC heavyweight king, he must overcome his wrestling demons. Bader would be another good test of his grappling defenses. And a win for the American could jettison him right into the title fight conversation.
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Jailton Almeida
Brazil’s Jailton Almeida is one of the division’s best grapplers. However, taking Bader down and keeping him there would be a tough test. A fight could offer an interesting chess match on the mat or force things to the feet, where the former Bellator star would have some advantages.
Jan Blachowicz
If Bader would rather try his hand at 205 pounds instead of facing the monsters at heavyweight, former division king Jan Blachowicz would be a great opponent. Blachowicz is one of the few competitors in the company older than the 41 year old. So a matchup of the 40-somethings would be a great test to prove which man is still relevant at the top of the light heavyweight division.
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Tai Tuivasa
Tai Tuivasa is done as a top-10 heavyweight. That doesn’t mean he still isn’t a fan favorite and gifted fighter in the company. If Bader wants to fight at heavyweight but prefers to face a competitor outside the top 10, the New Zealander would be a sensible option. Especially since he is not a proven grappler.
Derrick Lewis
Derrick Lewis is another big-name heavyweight star with wrestling deficiencies. However, he is a monster of a man who is a good athlete. So, it won’t be easy for the far smaller Ryan Bader to get him down. They offer each other some major threats and would be a fun clash of styles.
Aleksandar Rakić
If the former Bellator star wants a high-level foe at 205 pounds, a man the UFC could give him is Aleksandr Rakic. “Rocket” has lost three straight and is well out of the title picture. However, he is still a very good light heavyweight. If Bader can score a win over him, it would prove he can compete with the best fighters in the division.
