7. Ryan Bader vs. Muhammed Lawal
Bellator 199
May 12 | San Jose, California
The final piece of the 2018 Bellator heavyweight grand prix semifinals will fall into place when Bader meets Lawal, with the winner advancing to face Matt Mitrione later this year. A four-fight winning streak precedes Bader’s arrival. The two-time NCAA All-American wrestler laid claim to the Bellator light heavyweight championship with a split decision over Phil Davis in June and then successfully retained it with a second-round technical knockout against Linton Vassell on Nov. 3. Victories over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (twice), Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson and Ilir Latifi provide further depth to Bader’s stellar resume. Lawal, 37, has gone 9-2 across his last 11 appearances and won the 2015 Rizin Fighting Federation heavyweight grand prix.

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