Bellator 214: “Fedor vs. Bader” takes place this weekend (Sat., Jan. 26, 2019) at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., with the early “Prelims” undercard bouts starting at 7 p.m. ET on DAZN (one-month trial here), while the Paramount Network-televised main card begins at 9 p.m. ET (also on DAZN).
Ahead of a historic card headlined by Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader meeting in the finals of the Heavyweight Grand Prix, Bellator MMA held open workouts with select fighters who are competing on the main card (watch it). After his workout, former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler Jack Swagger (Jake Hager) spoke about his upcoming fight with J.W. Kiser.
“Man, it’s been a very special journey for me. I already feel like I’ve won because of this journey that I’ve been on. I’ve been able to better myself in so many ways mentally and physically. I think Saturday’s just going to be the icing on the cake. It’ll be one of those things that I always remember in my life.”
It’s not hard to believe the former All-American wrestler from the University of Oklahoma would be excited to finally jump from professional wrestling to professional fighting, but it turns out his old boss, WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, had a little advice for him before Saturday night.
“As far as pro wrestlers everybody from Vince McMahon to Rey Mysterio, Roman Reigns — name dropping here ... no big deal — but it’s cool because I feel like I am a pro wrestler. I also feel like I’m a pro fighter. To have that family from the pro wrestling community stand by me and support me through this has been really, really special. (What did Vince say to you?) He said, ‘Don’t lose!’”
As the reporter said back to him immediately, “Good advice.”
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