RYAN Bader (right) knocks out Fedor Emelianenko during their mixed martial arts heavyweight world title bout at Bellator 214 in Inglewood, California. AP
INGLEWOOD, California — Ryan Bader stopped Fedor Emelianenko just 35 seconds into the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix finale Saturday night to become the first Bellator fighter to hold two championship belts simultaneously.
He’s had a storied career; one of the best to ever do it
Bader (27-5) floored the vaunted Russian heavyweight with a left hook from distance in the opening exchanges of their long-anticipated bout.
He added a right hand on the ground and a hammer fist, forcing the early stoppage at the famous Forum south of downtown Los Angeles.
Bader added the heavyweight title to his 205-pound light heavyweight belt with his seventh consecutive victory. The former Arizona State wrestler showed his dominance in Bellator’s biggest weight classes with two opening-minute stoppages while winning his three bouts in the eight-man Grand Prix.
The quickest loss in the 42-year-old Emelianenko’s storied career also might have been his final fight.
Although he had won seven of his past eight bouts, The Last Emperor (38-6) planned to consider retirement even with a victory — and his chin could no longer hold up to punches from the likes of Bader.
“I want to give it up to that man across the cage from me,” Bader said.
“He’s had a storied career; one of the best to ever do it. It’s an honor for me to be in the cage with him and win the heavyweight title. Lot of respect to him.”
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