Former UFC light-heavyweight contender Ryan Bader is another UFC veteran that has moved to Bellator MMA. The website MMAJunkie says Bellator President Scott Corker has informed them that Bader signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator after some time as a free agent when his UFC contract expired. Previous UFC light-heavyweights that have moved to Bellator in the past and present include Tito Ortiz, Quinton Jackson, Stephen Bonnar, Phil Davis, and Chael Sonnen.
Bader was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 8, and went on to defeat former LH champions such as Keith Jardine, Quinton Jackson, Rashad Evans. Bader also defeated the respected Pride veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. However, Bader lost to other former LH champions such as Jon Jones, Tito Ortiz, and Lyoto Machida.
After his loss to former title challenger Glover Texeira, Bader went on an impressive five fight win streak (including ones over Davis and Evans). But that ended in his last fight after being KOed in the first round by another title challenger named Anthony Johnson. Maybe Bader will have better luck reaching the title in the less competitive Bellator roster.