White: UFC won't match Bellator's offer to Bader

The UFC's light heavyweight division is losing a familiar face.

On Friday, president Dana White told USA Today Sports the promotion would not be matching the offer Bellator MMA recently issued to longtime contender Ryan Bader, who entered free agency after fighting out his UFC contract this past fall.

The 33-year-old Bader had been expecting an offer from the California-based promotion earlier this week, and while the UFC had the right to meet the terms and keep him in the fold, White stated a move to Bellator was ultimately in the 27-fight veteran's best interest.

"We had told Ryan Bader he was good to go, so we knew he was going to go to Bellator the entire time.

"At this point in his career, I think it's the right move for him."

Contrary to the reportedly departed Misha Cirkunov, Bader still sits in the fourth spot of the UFC's light heavyweight rankings.

"Darth" joined the promotion after finishing Vinny Magalhaes in the "TUF 8" finale in December of 2008. The Nevada native quietly won 15 of his 20 fights in the world's foremost promotion, scoring notable wins over former light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, but never got his long-coveted shot at a UFC title.

In what appears to mark his final appearance in the Octagon, Bader earned his second victory over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira via third-round TKO in the main event of UFC Fight Night 100 last November. He leaves the promotion with the second-most wins in light heavyweight history.