Where to go next with rising star Ryan Bader
Posted by Kevin Leach (Contributor)Sep 28
Ryan Bader co-headlined UFC 119 in Indianapolis, Indiana, going the distance with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and winning unanimous decision. The win improved Bader to 12-0 overall and 5-0 in the UFC. Bader burst on the scene when he defeated Vinny Magalhaes by first round TKO to win season 8 of the Ultimate Fighter.
Bader is best known for his strong wrestling, along with his improved striking and heavy hands. Bader is a two-time Division 1 All-American and a three-time Pac 10 champion in wrestling at Arizona State University. Bader attended ASU with fellow UFC fighters, Cain Velasquez, and current training partner, CB Dollaway.
In March 2010 Bader, along with fellow MMA stars, Jesse Forbes, CB Dollaway, Eric Larkin, and Aaron Simpson left Arizona Combat Sports. They moved to Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den MMA Academy in Scottsdale Arizona, while they worked open opening their open gym in Arizona. The name of their gym is Power MMA and fitness, which is now open for business.
The win over Nogueira is the biggest by Bader in his short career, but what next for him?
Rumors have been swirling for weeks leading up to UFC 119 that the winner would face the dangerous up and comer, Jon “Bones” Jones. The UFC has had a tough time finding an opponent for Jones who has destroyed the last four fighters put in front of him. When asked about Jones, Bader clearly stated that he’d fight Jones if the UFC wanted him too.
Jones though wants to fight before the year ends and Bader is Scheduled to get married next month (Oct.). The math doesn’t seem to work for both fighters to have a proper 10/12 week training camp and still fight in that time frame.
Is putting these two rising stars against one another right now such a wise idea anyway?
If the timing doesn’t work out or the UFC decides to go in a different direction with Bader, there are many other options. Fights with Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin or Brandon Vera would be interesting and solid main card fight as well.
Whatever direction Bader goes in next, the UFC has themselves another star in the lightweight division.
