Top light heavyweight prospects clash when on Jon Jones (11-1, 5-1 UFC) fights Ryan Bader (12-0, 5-0 UFC) on the main card of UFC 126.
How do these guys stack up?
Jones: 23 years old, 6’4″, 84.5″ reach
Bader: 27 years old, 6’2″, 74″ reach
What have they done lately?
Jones: W Vladimir Matyushenko (TKO), W Brandon Vera (TKO), L Matt Hamill (DQ)
Bader: W Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (DEC), W Keith Jardine (KO), W Eric Schafer (DEC)
How did these guys get here?
Jon Jones is probably the most talked about prospect in the sport of mixed martial arts. Blessed with freakish natural ability, a strong work ethic and a willingness to try anything and everything during a fight. Jones’ only blemish on his record is a DQ loss received from getting carried away while elbowing Matt Hamill in the face and throwing a few illegal 12-6 elbows. Jones has a solid wrestling game and a striking game that presents incredible problems for anyone who is unlucky enough to step into the cage with him. If his last few fights are any indication he is improving at an alarming rate.
Ryan Bader was the winner of season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter and has not lost a professional fight. In his last fight Bader took out top ten light heavyweight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. His smothering wrestling game and thunderous punching power has led him to five straight UFC wins.
Why should you care?
There is no reason anyone should not want to see a fight between two men who represent the future of the sport. This should be an incredible bout that shows us exactly where both men are in their development.