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Ryan Bader Eyes UFC Return After PFL Exit: Will “Darth” End His Career Where It All Began?
Ryan Bader may be one of the most decorated fighters outside of the UFC today, but it looks like the former Bellator two-division champion is eyeing one final ride under the bright lights of the Octagon.
At 41 years old, Bader is officially a free agent following his recent split with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), and he’s now reflecting on his career coming full circle. After all, Bader first burst onto the scene by winning The Ultimate Fighter: Season 8 back in 2008. From there, he spent nearly a decade competing with the UFC—constantly in the title conversation—before moving on to Bellator, where he made history as both the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion.
Now? “Darth” wants one last dance in the UFC.
“My manager and I, we kind of talked about that and talked about how cool it would be, full circle, come back and retire in the UFC, even have one fight,” Bader told Submission Radio. “I don’t know if they’re in the business of doing that, but it’s definitely something we have thought about. It would be a cool scenario.”
A Grudge Match That Never Happened?
There’s also another twist in this story. While Bader has the UFC in his sights, another new promotion has entered the chat: the Global Fight League (GFL). Although GFL has yet to hold its first event, the organization has been signing former UFC talent at a rapid pace—and rumor has it, they’d love to book a long-awaited grudge match between Bader and former UFC double champ Daniel Cormier.
That’s right. Bader vs. Cormier—something fans have speculated about for nearly a decade—could still happen, even if DC retired in 2020. And Bader is very aware of the possibilities.
“That would be fun,” Bader said. “But something like that, why don’t you just go do it in the UFC? You know, unless they’re throwing around crazy money in GFL and GFL actually happens… It would obviously be a tough fight; he’s good at what I’m good at.”
Respect Between Warriors
There’s no doubt that Bader has always respected Cormier’s wrestling pedigree. But as Bader points out, being a high-level wrestler doesn’t always translate to MMA success unless it’s adapted to the cage.
“Being a good wrestler outside of MMA, you’re going to do well. But guys that tailor their wrestling to the sport of MMA, which I felt like I’ve done very well—you know, I get on top, use that cage and everything.”
Whether it’s a showdown with DC or just a symbolic retirement bout, Bader seems ready to write the final chapter of a legendary career—ideally in the UFC, where it all began.
A Legacy of Heavy Hands and Heavy Wins
Ryan Bader’s record speaks for itself: 31 wins, 8 losses, and 1 no contest, with victories over legends like Fedor Emelianenko, Lyoto Machida, and Rampage Jackson. His last appearance, however, didn’t go as planned—he was knocked out in the first round by Renan Ferreira at the PFL vs. Bellator PPV in early 2024.
Still, Bader’s willingness to take tough fights and chase the biggest names speaks volumes about the kind of competitor he is. Whether it’s a UFC swan song or a surprising GFL showdown, fight fans should keep their eyes on Ryan Bader in 2025.
Because “Darth” isn’t done just yet.
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