(Editor’s note: This story first published in Friday’s print edition of USA TODAY.) After spending a career campaigning as a light heavyweight, two-division Bellator champion Ryan Bader admits his achievements as a heavyweight have eclipsed everything he achieved earlier in his career. Bader was a perennial contender in the UFC’s 205-pound division, but a title shot never materialized and, when his contract expired, he tested free agency and signed with Bellator, where his career has taken a dramatic turn. Bader captured the promotion’s light heavyweight title in his Bellator debut and defended his belt before taking on the biggest challenge of his career. “Hands down I’d say the heavyweight championship is a little bit more special,” Bader told USA TODAY Sports ahead of Saturday’s title defense at Bellator 226. “It’s a new weight class for me, and everybody sees the heavyweight guys as the baddest dudes on the planet
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