Photo: Esther Lin / MMAFighting.com
Ryan Bader is trying to climb his way back into the land of the contenders following an understandable loss to Jon Jones and a horrible loss to Tito Ortiz. A knockout win over Jason Brilz shot him back into a big fight as he takes on Quinton Jackson at this Saturday's UFC 144.
When Michael Bisping, a close friend of Jackson, was asked about the fight, he made it clear that he thought it would be a very bad night for Bader (Via ESPN):
Asked if Bader had been granted a death sentence by the UFC, Bisping replied: "I'd say so. That's a very tough fight for Ryan Bader.
"Don't get me wrong, Bader's a tough guy and I've got a lot of respect for him, he came back from two tough losses impressively.
"But Rampage is going to be excited to fight in Japan, he'll be excited to get back to winning ways, that'll be a good win for Rampage."
We'll find out if he is right this Saturday night when Rampage fights in Japan for the first time in six years.
0 recs | 67 comments
This is what I envision psychoblack's post fight celebration to look like
Earl Montclair - February 21, 2012
I need a hi-def version of this
Set it to Smooth Criminal
menckenstein - February 21, 2012
Not so sure.
Perhaps Psychoblack sees Bader’s collegiate wrestling pedigree and Rampage’s lack of prowess from his back as the fight defining style clash…
POW - February 21, 2012
Page has stuffed much better wrestlers than Bader.
Stuffed 4 of Jones’ 6 takedown tries, and 9 of Rashad’s 12.
ElliotMatheny - February 21, 2012
not serious
I was saying that perhaps psychoblack would weigh each fighters strengths/weaknesses prior to making his pick. I too agree that Bader is boned.
POW - February 21, 2012
that's what COD fans do...
when they get their hands on their yearly expansion pack. wait….isn’t rampage a hardcore COD guy ? i remember someone saying he is very vocal on XBL.
carmine99 - February 21, 2012
COD has been bad since MW2, but I'd still play with rampage.
lolumad - February 21, 2012
What ...?
Is this…a yeti…with machine-guns…and then there’s an explosion…and…I mean…
KGNLuc - February 21, 2012
you guys should post.....
that interview transcript, where rampage says “im a street fighter, not a martial artist” it was up on the site that shall not be named this morning, that’s legit 100+ comments right there.
carmine99 - February 21, 2012
Rampage is definitely Zangief or M. Bison
menckenstein - February 21, 2012
Balrog for obvious reasons...
…
you know, because he doesn’t (usually) throw kicks, just boxes.
Brent Brookhouse - February 21, 2012
That’s racist
And yes i’m trying to start some shit.
Krimson - February 21, 2012
Naw, I'm cool with it.
Balrog - February 21, 2012
Damn
You STEY GITTIN PAIRD!!
Krimson - February 21, 2012
Despite your avatar, I always picture you as this guy:
Chris Hall - February 22, 2012
You. Shall. Not. Pass!!
*damn. he got the full mount.
AwkwardwithwordmakingisGoldberg,huhJoe - February 22, 2012
Hard to get excited for this fight. Bader isn’t a top 10 light heavyweight if you ask me, he hasn’t beaten anybody and Rampage doesn’t seem to give a shit he’s even said he doesn’t care if he wins or loses he just wants to put on an exciting show for the japan audience which is cool but c’mon. I still can’t understand the UFC matchmaking sometimes. I get why Shogun couldn’t fight Rampage in Japan but what’s wrong with Forrest, he just lost to Shogun, he could have taken this fight and it would have made sense. Bader losing to Jones and then to Tito and then beating Brilz in a prelim fight gets him a spot in the co main event against a top 5 or if not top 10 light heavyweight?
Meek Mill - February 21, 2012
He beat lil nog
discoandherpes - February 21, 2012
and Jardine!
Horselover Fat - February 21, 2012
Unfortunately, I have to agree with Bisping...
I like Bader, and he still has a puncher’s chance. However, I don’t see him winning this one. Rampage has better stand up, and he is very tough to get down to the ground. But anything can happen i.e. Tito beating Bader.
rationalthought2012 - February 21, 2012
I think he has more of a wrestler’s chance than a puncher’s chance against granite-chinned Rampage.
Pantherhare - February 21, 2012
I really like Bader
He is 28, and it’s time for him to start making a move. Time for the UFC to find out if this guy is a title contender or just a contender gate keeper.
If he was 24-25, I would totally suggest that he has plenty of time to learn how to fight on his back, how to strike without looking for one big shot, etc. But 28 is getting up there. It’s time.
If Bader loses, I do see a nice match between him and Phil Davis. If he wins, he should get Hendo for the #1 contender spot.
djfivenine - February 21, 2012
seriously?
he’s 1-2 in his last 3 fights, and was just beat down by the champ a few fights ago…AND HE LOST TO TITO.
the only way Bader gets a shot anytime soon is if he goes on a serious run, like 5+ wins in a row
Fedorable - February 21, 2012 via Android app
Rampage is arguably a top 5 LHW
You can’t just go back to fighting Brandon Vera after beating Rampage.
Who would he be behind if he wins? Hendo? Gustafsson(if he beats lil nog)?
I mean, you can argue Rua and/or Machida. But you can’t argue that Bader would be a top 10 fighter if he beats Rampage. And you can’t deny a title shot if he beats another top 5 fighter like Hendo or Rua.
djfivenine - February 21, 2012
But he won't beat Rampage
Shogun, Machida, Phil Davis, Gustafsson, or Rashad. Thiago Silva would murder him and Forrest would probably give him a run for his money.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE - February 21, 2012
Both fights I could love to see actually.
djfivenine - February 21, 2012
the truth, bisping speaks it.
Johnathan Willis - February 21, 2012
CoCoa Jin!!!!
Nani des ka?!?!?
Tatsu Maki Sen Puu Kyaku - February 21, 2012
Lovin that poster !!!
MidWayMonster54 - February 21, 2012
Hide your kids, hide your wife.
ElliotMatheny - February 22, 2012
i'm so excited for this card...
pandas are cool - February 21, 2012
I wonder where Duke Silver will be watching this one……
rationalthought2012 - February 21, 2012
So sorry to nitpick
But something about phrasing Jones win over Bader as “understandable” looks a bit off.
Like as if Bader was injured heading into the fight, or was new to the UFC… something like that. Maybe “expected” or “unsurprising” loss sounds better?
Again, this is totally minor. You guys set the bar high in terms of editorial polish and commentary, so I thought it would help to comment.
Carry on.
D Squared - February 21, 2012
I disagree
“expected” or “unsurprising” would be akin to totally writing-off Bader. “Understandable” put a different spin on it like….. you can’t fault the guy for losing to Jon freakin’ Jones.
OmoPlata - February 21, 2012
You're right.
I think qualifying the loss is the thing that doesn’t sit right with me.
It somehow manages to diminish both the fighters involved.
A loss is a loss, no?
D Squared - February 21, 2012
Bader is younger, has better grappling, and also has decent hands. This is anything but a death sentence for Bader. On the other side of the coin, I think this is a good test to see if Rampage’s heart is still in the fight game.
OmoPlata - February 21, 2012
Younger is nice, but not as useful when his skillset is inferior. Bader is a good wrestler. Rampage has great defensive wrestling. Rampage is better on the feet and has an iron chin. Bader will have a very hard time finding a dimensions where he can impose his will and do damage in this fight.
Hardcharger - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Bader’s game is pretty limited, it isn’t like he’s a submission threat or a technical striker, nor is he known to throw leg kicks in abundance. He basically has a decent right hand and some effective blast doubles, both of which are nothing rampage hasn’t seen or dealt with in the past.
lolumad - February 21, 2012
What kind of question is that?
Was it preceded about a question of whether knockouts were “sick as hell” or “dope as shit”?
Still, I must respect his confidence. Most journalists only start working on over-the-top hyperbole or stupid puns (what rhymes with Lin? Sweet Lin Music? Lin and tonic? Lin foil?) after the interview. This guy dispensed with all the pussy-footing and jackhammered sensationalism right into the question.
Forbidden Psychological Technology - February 21, 2012
I was trying to find
a way to say this, but you were more creative than I would have been. I award you 1 rec.
rzor - February 21, 2012
He could have essentially
Been asking whether Bisping thought the UFC had put Bader in a lose lose situation, AKA he’s a heavy underdog to Rampage and if he loses, he could be cut..hence the “death sentence” terminology, but just worded it really, really badly? That’s what I took from it anyway. Either that or he was just asking Bisping whether he thought Rampage was going to ruin Bader and again just worded it terribly, lol.
NE188 - February 21, 2012
Most likely just worded terribly.
Outside of the fighters, most people involved with MMA aren’t very talented, like the reporters, commentators, etc.
LemonSqueeze - February 21, 2012
this fight will look like Hamil/Rampage
dbcb - February 21, 2012
Bader will backpedal the whole fight and practically refuse to engage?
The Lethal Haze - February 21, 2012
Only if Bader gets hit with ....
…. some of the shots the Hammer got nailed with hes goin night – night .
MidWayMonster54 - February 21, 2012
it is Hamil/Rampage
except hopefully master bader gets caught and ko’d
warren305 - February 21, 2012
I'm thinkin that might just happen .....
MidWayMonster54 - February 22, 2012
At this point, it would be really cool to see Bader pull off the upset
He lost to Ortiz when EVERYONE thought he would win.
For redemption, he needs to beat Rampage when EVERYONE thinks he will lose.
He’s got to do it by something insane, too…like knocking him out.
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
Will not happen
Bader is going to take a beating
19Miles - February 21, 2012
Most likely
But I’ll laugh my ass off if Rampage has a brain fart and f’cks it up.
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
KO Bader forJapan, Rampage.
JayT86 - February 21, 2012
i think at this point bader has more ko power
than rampage who could’nt even ko jardine but bader did
P86 - February 21, 2012
that doesn’t mean shit
Tats16 - February 21, 2012
Yeah it does
Didn’t you take maath in school?
Not Hauser - February 21, 2012 via mobile
I think I skipped the mma math class.
Tats16 - February 21, 2012
I think it was less about power and more about how predictable 'Page has gotten with his combinations.
I can’t recall the Bader fight but I remember Rampage was was too comfortable to set his feet and throw the same combos for three rounds against Jardine. Jardine, not surprisingly, was mostly successful in staying out of the pocket and using kicks.
That fight was a lot closer than it should have been because Rampage got complacent. Not earth-shattering news at this point.
Forbidden Psychological Technology - February 21, 2012
for what i remember
bader rocked jardine with a right hand threw a flying knee and threw a left hook that put him down
P86 - February 21, 2012
That sounds right.
Jardine is notorious for not protecting his right side and a flurry of that type is exactly what I would expect to put him out.
Forbidden Psychological Technology - February 21, 2012
Fun fact, Rampage's last KO was in
December of 2008 against Wanderlei Silva
I wouldn’t say he’s lost his power…there doesn’t seem to be any reason, he’s 33 and the old mantra is that the last thing you lose is your power.
But maybe his overall skill, speed and explosiveness has depleted to the point where he can’t do what he needs to do to land the KO blows.
Chris Groves - February 21, 2012
So what you're saying is...
Rampage has muffin fists.
Not Hauser - February 21, 2012
More like molasses fists.
pud333 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
But Bader's most recent KOs are against Jason Brilz and Keith Jardine
Who are both out of the UFC.
SSreporters - February 22, 2012
More facts
The only fights where Rampage didn’t rock somebody in the UFC was Machida, Hamill, and Jones. Machida moved away, his hand was giving him problems against Hamill, and Jones knew how to use his long reach. 7 out of 10 of Rampage’s UFC fights involved him knocking someone out or rocking them. Can’t fade him
JayT86 - February 22, 2012
This might be the first time
I have ever liked and agreed with something that came out of Bispings mouth.
attgnp - February 21, 2012
I allow myself one stupid, emotional pick per event
and this is going to be my stupidity this weekend.
WAR BADER
SORRY NED STARK’S BASTARDS
Bookhouse - February 21, 2012
ah crap.
Tats16 - February 21, 2012
What a presumptious quesstion
“Death sentence”, really?
warren305 - February 21, 2012
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