Ryan Bader returns to defend the Light Heavyweight title against Vadim Nemkov on May 9

Bellator: “Bader vs. Nemkov” goes down May 9, 2020, at SAP Center in San Jose, California. The as yet unnumbered Bellator MMA event only has one fight on tap so far but it’s one that the Light Heavyweight division has wanted for a while.

Ryan Bader (27-5, 1 NC) is a “champ-champ” holding belts at both 205 and 265 pounds, but he’s been busier in the latter division lately after defeating Fedor Emelianenko in the finals of the Heavyweight Grand Prix. That means his last title defense at Light Heavyweight was in 2017 against “The Swam” Linton Vassell, who ironically has moved up to Heavyweight himself.

“Darth” Bader announced at Bellator 238 that he’d face off with Vadim Nemkov (11-2), currently on a six-fight win streak with two wins over former world champions in “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis and Rafael Carvalho. This time a world title will be on the line in the biggest fight of Nemkov’s young career.

The main card for Bellator San Jose will simulcast on Paramount Network and DAZN at 10 p.m. ET with more fights to be announced at a later date.

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