Jack Swagger MMA debut set for Bellator 214 against JW Kiser on Jan. 26

Bellator 214: “Fedor vs. Bader” takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 26, 2019, featuring the conclusion of the promotion’s Heavyweight Grand Prix as “The Last Emperor” Fedor Emelianenko (38-5, 1 NC) takes on reigning Light Heavyweight champion Ryan Bader (26-5) to crown Bellator’s new Heavyweight champion.

Speaking of Heavyweights, an “All-American American” is poised to step into the mixed martial arts (MMA) fray for the first time ever that same night, too. And Bellator President Scott Coker has given the fight the green light.

Jake Hager (0-0) — known in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as Jack Swagger — will take his first-ever MMA fight against J.W. Kiser (0-1). The 41-year-old Kiser’s only fight to date was a 24-second technical knockout loss to Antonio Martinez in May of this year. Hager, meanwhile, is no spring chicken himself at 36 years old; however, his University of Oklahoma wrestling credentials are not “sports entertainment” material.

It’s clear Hager is looking forward to the fight as he’s already begun promoting it online.

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