The main event of Bellator 273 was almost a coin toss for Ryan Bader. The 38-year-old champion came with a victory in his last four fights. If he came up heads, he would remain Bellator’s heavyweight champion and regain lost credit. On the other hand, if victory eluded him again, he might be forced to step aside, as the big fights would drift apart. The first thing happened. Victory in a fast-paced fight that was scored by unanimous decision (triple 48-47) and hit on the table. It will not give time for much celebration, yes, because on May 6 he returns to expose his throne. He will be in Paris and before Cheick Kongoagainst whom he made null in his only defense of the previous heavy.
The fight against Valentin Moldavsky had everything and the emotion was present at every moment. Bader started very well, and it is that he caught the Russian cold and did a lot of damage. He was able to resist Moldavsky, but he had to change his plan. She dodged blow for blow and took pressure, still giving it away. The next two rounds were for the challenger. A lot of pressure, I work against the cage… and Bader who could not find his place because he had to be focused on defense.
The champion discovered that the plan was not working and pressed in the fourth. He arrived with good hands, like Moldavsky, but a takedown and down control was key. There was one round left and the draw was obvious. The two put pressure and took the fight to the field of grappling. The applicant dominated the position, but got little work. That was the opposite of what Bader put, who won by his good elbows. An even duel that could have fallen on either side, but in which experience was key. The one from Arizona still has bellows for a while.