Ryan Bader became a Bellator double champion by beating Fedor Emelianenko in 35 seconds back in January 2019. Vadim Nemkov hasn't forgotten.
The Team Fedor fighter will look to exact some revenge on the legend's behalf, when he faces Bader in the headliner of Bellator 244 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Friday night. Bader's light heavyweight title will be on the line.
When the bout was originally announced at a New York City press conference in March, Nemkov had some stinging words for Bader to chew on.
"When I hit him, I'm going to hit him for me and Fedor," Nemkov vowed at the time.
"It has kind of accumulated by now," the Russian fighter added, referring to the tension between the Fedor camp and Bader for the latter's evisceration of Emelianenko.
Bader seemed unfazed.
"It's a totally different fight, a totally different person," Bader offered. "I know I have my hands full with him. He's a totally different fighter, a young fighter coming up and I'm looking forward to that test of coming down to 205 (pounds) — getting those young, fast guys again, so I'm pumped for it."
After defeating Emelianenko, Bader vs. Cheick Kongo in heavyweight action last September ended in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke.
Nemkov, who is 28-years-old to Bader's 37, is coming off a second-round submission (rear naked choke) of Rafael Carvalho in October.
Bader vs. Nemkov was originally slated for May 9 in San Jose, Calif., before the coronavirus pandemic dashed that plan.
With extra time to train, we'll now see how the main event pans out between these two light heavyweights.
Here's everything you need to know about Bellator 244: Bader vs. Nemkov.
When is Ryan Bader vs. Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 244?
- Date: Friday, Aug. 21
- Prelims: 7:15 p.m. ET
- Main card: 10 p.m. ET
Bellator 244 takes place Friday night, Aug. 21. Prelims get underway at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 10 p.m. ET. Bader and Nemkov should start about 11:30 p.m. ET, but the time depends on the length of the earlier fights.
How to watch Bellator 244: Bader vs. Nemkov TV, live stream info
In the United States, the Bellator 244 prelims begin at 7:15 p.m. ET on Bellator MMA's official YouTube channel and on DAZN. The main card will follow live on DAZN and the Paramount Network.
In Canada, the prelims and main card are available on DAZN.
In Germany and Spain, the main card (4 a.m. CEST Saturday) is available on DAZN.
Find out more about how to watch on DAZN by clicking here.
Where is Bellator 244?
Bellator 244: Bader vs. Nemkov will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Each fighter has fought at the venue once before, having won their respective bouts there.
Ryan Bader record, bio
- Name: Ryan Bader
- Nationality: American
- Born: June 7, 1983
- Height: 6-2
- Reach: 74 inches
- Total fights: 33
- Record: 27-5-1 No Contest
Vadim Nemkov record, bio
- Name: Vadim Nemkov
- Nationality: Russian
- Born: June 20, 1992
- Height: 6-0
- Reach: N/A
- Total fights: 13
- Record: 11-2
Bellator 244: Bader vs. Nemkov fight card
Main card
- Ryan Bader vs. Vadim Nemkov for Bader's light heavyweight title
- Julia Budd vs. Jessy Miele; Featherweight
- Roy Nelson vs. Valentin Moldavsky; Heavyweight
- John Salter vs. Andrew Kapel; Middleweight
Prelims
- Adam Piccolotti vs. Sidney Outlaw; Lightweight
- Erik Perez vs. Josh Hill; Bantamweight
- Lucas Brennan vs. Will Smith; Featherweight
- Vladimir Tokov vs. Chris Gonzalez; Lightweight
- Weber Almeida vs. Salim Mukhidinov; Featherweight
- Yaroslav Amosov vs. Mark Lemminger; 175-pound contract weight
- Vladyslav Parubchenko vs. John de Jesus; 150-pound contract weight