UFC 144's Ryan Bader Ready To Take On 'Rampage' Jackson
Fighting a guy like Jon Jones, you can't really hang your hat on any sort of predictions.
A guy like Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson (32-9 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is a little different story, according to Ryan Bader (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who spoke to MMAjunkie.com Radio about his impending fight against the former champ in the co-main event of UFC 144.
UFC 144 takes place Feb. 25 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Main-card fights air live on pay-per-view. Broadcast plans for the preliminary card have yet to be announced.
Bader is on the mend after a two-fight skid that saw him submitted by now-champ Jon Jones at UFC 126 and tapped out by Tito Ortiz at UFC 132. In his most recent performance, he rebounded with a 77-second KO of vet Jason Brilz at UFC 139, which likely saved him from a irrecoverable slide in the light-heavyweight division.
Jackson's place on the ladder is less certain. Nearing the end of a decade-plus career in MMA, he was submitted by Jones in a bid to win back the title and requested a fight in Japan as much for nostalgic reasons as a career boost.
Bader, who won the "The Ultimate Fighter 8," was a fan of Jackson's in his days as a wrestler and before he made it to the UFC. But things have changed now that the two are set to fight.
"You can go back with your career afterwards and say I fought all these guys, but now's not the time," he said. "Now, I get a name like 'Rampage,' and my mindset changes."
Bader brings a strong wresting pedigree to all of his fights, but since emerging from the reality show, he's focused on becoming a dangerous striker. He's so far managed to stop three of his UFC opponents by strikes as well as defeat more experienced strikers such Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
Jackson, though, presents a more significant threat in that department. Known for heavy hands and a strong chin, he has largely abandoned his wrestling roots for a boxing-centric style. He's managed to stop three of his UFC opponents with his hands and wobble several others with punches.
But Bader agrees with observers that say Jackson has become predictable over the years, and therefore easier to beat.
Comment
Ring Girls Blog
Exclusive : MMA Ring Girl Of The Week Shannon Ihrke Interview And Gallery
This week TNGF brings you an exclusive interview with ProElite's Shannon Ihrke. Shannon is currently a ProElite MMA spokesmodel and ring girl. She has also worked with King of the Cage and Sterling Entertainment with fights all around the Midwest.
This former Marine, yes you read that right, has put together an impressive modeling career over the last 2 years that we can only predict will continue to blossom in the future.
Shannon's body of work…
Exclusive : MMA Ring Girl Of The Week Brooke Lynette Interview And Gallery
This weeks we have a special entry in to our popular Ring Girl of the Week section with the very beautiful Brooke Lynette giving us an exclusive interview.
Brooke is a model and the head ring girl for the UK promotion Cage Warriors. Brooke was born and bred in Scotland and made her Cage Warriors debut at CWFC 41 back in April 2011. She has enjoyed a very successful career as commercial, lingerie and fitness model for over six years.
To know more about Brooke…
MMA Ring Girl of The Week Gallery: ProElite Girl Paige Chapman - aka 'Chanel Rae'
Remember ProElite? If not ProElite is hoping that their hot as can get, 21 year old model from Los Angeles named Paige Chapman - aka Chanel Rae - will help keep the promotion fresh in your head.
You can follow Paige Chapman on her facebook and modelmayhem pages.
BTW if the pictures you find on here and on her FB and MM pages are…
MMA Ring Girl of the Week - Fighter Miesha Tate
Written By J Sladky, TNGF.com
Miesha Tate is a professional female mixed martial artist. Not actually a ring girl but a major player in women's MMA and the current Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champ! She has also competed and won a silver medal in the FILA Grappling Championships.
Tate is currently the #4-ranked in the overall women's pound-for-pound MMA ranking by…
MMA Ring Girl of The Week Gallery: Belle Rodriguez
If you don't know who Belle Rodriguez is you will now!
Belle was coed magazines's Miss COED for 4/28/10. She hails from New York but works as a ring girl in Las Vegas. She’s done commercial shoots for Ed Hardy and Harley Davidson in addition to appearing in Playboy, Stuff, and Maxim en Espanol. Her TV credits include Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Friday Night Fights on ESPN 2, Real Housewives of NYC, and a commercial for Heineken Premium…
JOIN OUR REWARD PROGRAM
Live Traffic Feed
© 2012 Created by The Beast.
You need to be a member of The Next Great Fighter - TNGF to add comments!
Join The Next Great Fighter - TNGF