Ryan Bader's team doesn't hide their dismay when they see Gustafsson fighting for the belt

Bader (photo) hoped to fight for the UFC belt. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC

After recently starting a rivalry with Daniel Cormier, Ryan bader expected to be appointed as the first challenger to the new UFC light heavyweight champion. However, his plans went down the drain with the news that Alexander Gustafson will compete for the title, on a date and location yet to be defined.

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This provoked complaints from Bader's manager, David Martin, who ended up extracting an unfortunate lesson from the episode about the dynamics of MMA business. “It's a little discouraging, but it also teaches you to understand that winning isn't necessarily everything in MMA. Entertainment is clearly the most important factor, and it is something I will discuss with my fighters who come from wrestling, where the only thing that matters is victory”, complained Martin, in a statement given to the North American broadcaster “FOX Sports”. .

Bader was originally scheduled to face Cormier next Saturday (6), at UFC Fight Night 68, but the removal of the belt from Jon Jones caused changes and “DC” challenged – and won – the light heavyweight title at UFC 187. Bader is on a four-fight winning streak in the UFC, while Gustafsson is coming off a loss to Anthony Johnson.

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