Corey Anderson doesn’t think Ryan Bader has the tools to beat him in Saturday’s Bellator 268 light heavyweight grand prix semifinal.
Anderson (15-4 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) has said since the moment the matchup came together in the tournament bracket that he has something special in store for Bader (28-6 MMA, 6-1 BMMA). The pair have trained together in the past, and Anderson often claims that his opponent “knows” what happened between them.
There’s been a hesitancy from Anderson to delve into details of what that means, but it clearly has his confidence high going into fight night.
“You can’t outwork a workhorse,” Anderson told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’m just going to keep coming. I’m smart. I’m good. I’m just a very well-rounded fighter. I’m just better. You can’t defeat the fact that I’m better. You knew it was going to happen. That’s what I’ll tell him: ‘You knew I was better than you. You had to sign the contract if you wanted to get your belt back, but you knew.”
Anderson and Bader will fight for a spot in the finals of the eight-man tournament. The winner will get an opportunity to fight for a $1 million prize and a grand prix title, as well as challenge for the Bellator light heavyweight belt against whoever emerges from the other semifinal between Vadim Nemkov and Julius Anglickas.
Bellator 268 takes place at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.
Corey Anderson: Ryan Bader ‘can’t defeat the fact that I’m better’ at Bellator 268