Ryan Bader has eyes on title fight after disposing of ‘Lil Nog’

On Saturday Nov 19^th UFC Sao Paulo played host to a light heavyweight bout between top contender Ryan Bader (22-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (22-8 MMA, 5-5 UFC). These two first met at UFC 119 in 2010 where Bader grabbed the win via decision.

This fight took place as the main event of the evening which saw Bader solidify his place near the very top of the 205 lbs rankings. Bader made it seven wins in his last eight outings finishing his opponent with a dominant display of ground and pound in the third round leaving the referee no choice but to intervene.

Replacing the injured Alexander Gustafsson the American looked perfectly prepared to enter the Octagon and dispose of Nogueira with relentless takedowns and some brutal ground and pound. Entering the fight with free agency ahead Bader looked to take the fight to the ground early on where he picked his shots and began to wear down his opponent.

The onslaught from Bader continued taking ’Lil Nog’ to the mat which saw him achieve mount position and nearly finish the fight with a choke. Nogueira showed that legendary durability surviving a number of punches when Bader had trapped his left arm behind his back.

Early in the third round the fight was once again taken to the mat by Bader within the first minute and he showed no mercy. Posturing up into half guard before unloading with numerous punches and hammerfists until referee Mario Yamasaki had seen enough.

Saturday night marked Bader’s 15^th UFC victory which is only second to former champion Jon Jones meanwhile Lil Nog has now only won one fight in his last four outings.

Bader sits near the top of the division sitting behind title contenders Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson who face off against one another at UFC 206 on December 10^th. After his most recent win he now has his eyes set firmly on fighting for the title.

“I’ll have to get with the UFC, have talks with them and re-up,” he said. “I don’t see anybody else there in the top-five. It’s wide open, and I deserve that shot. That’s what I’m coming for.”