UFC 126: Ryan Bader Vs Jon Jones Breakdown
By Sean Farrell
Jon “Bones” Jones returns to the Octagon is more than enough to be excited about. His opponent this time around is Ryan “Darth” Bader.
Bader and Jones have been the two hottest fighters in the UFC since their respective debuts with the organization.
How hot?
So hot the devil turned on the A/C. Ryan Bader has blazed to a 12-0 record in the UFC with his two most recent wins were over Rogerio Nogueira and Keith Jardine earning himself a spot in the top 10 in the UFC’s premiere division.
In the other corner, Jon Jones has also been on a tear with an impressive record of 11-1 even though Jones has one loss, it was in a fight in which he was easily going to win by Knockout but an accidental twelve to six elbow got him the DQ loss.
The fight can play out a number of different ways given the strengths of both fighters. Jones possesses an excellent wrestling game and decent Jiu Jitsu, while his Muay Thai and stand-up is something all must witness to believe.
Bader, on the other hand, is a Division 1 Wrestling All-American who has extremely heavy hands and can end a fight with one punch easily and is the more one dimensional fighter but that dimension is a dangerous one. The only way to describe the way this fight will go is quickly.
Jones loves pushing the pace using his speed and agility to confuse opponents and pick his spots and land strikes of all types whether its a spinning elbow, spinning back kick, or the belly to back suplex “Bones” comes from everywhere. Bader is more of a traditional wrestler who has a lot of power he’s very similar to a young Quinton Jackson in a sense not an elite striker by any means but the power evens that out dramatically.
Jones should win by TKO stoppage once he’s able to gain a dominate position and work his elbows getting the win. Don’t expect a lot of standup in this fight as both fighters can strike but will use their wrestling skills and Bader will probably test Jones on the ground rather than slug one out.Whoever wins this fight will definitely get a top 5 opponent as well as assert themselves firmly in the title picture.
Jones should be victorious but this fight could be considered fight of the year if it turns into a war. It could however, just be another highlight reel knockout for either up and comer benefiting the victor generously.