
Ryan Bader vs. Lyoto Machida
Ryan “Darth” Bader meets his old foe Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida in the opening round of the light heavyweight grand prix at Bellator 256.
It’s the curtain-raiser of Bellator’s highly-anticipated light heavyweight grand prix, where the mighty Ryan “Darth” Bader meets his old foe Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida in the tournament’s opening round. Bader will be seeking redemption for his 2012 loss at the hands of the Brazilian, as well as mounting a charge to reclaim the light heavyweight title he lost to Vadim Nemkov last summer. Machida meanwhile will be determined to halt a two-fight slide after losses to Gegard Mousasi and Phil Davis respectively. When the pair met almost a decade ago Machida finished Bader in the second round, but both fighters have since gone on a journey in the sport and promise a masterful display upon their second meeting.