UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader Recap & Results

With Jon Jones supposedly clean and cleared to return to action soon the light heavyweight title picture is essentially closed for the time being. Hoping to book a long-sought shot against the winner of that inevitable clash Ryan Bader put his 5-fight winning streak on the line against one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers, Anthony Johnson. Could Bader finally put the ghosts of previous disappointments behind him, or did ‘Rumble’ add the veteran contender to his long list of victims?

Unbeaten since being finished by Glover Teixeira in 2013, Ryan Bader had seemingly turned a corner in terms of staying calm and sticking to the gameplan. In almost all of his setbacks he’d usually come undone because of a miscalculation or poor execution. In his last five performances ‘Darth’ had won because he kept his cool and leaned on his strengths.

We didn’t get that Ryan Bader here. We got the old one.

Against the striking brilliance of Anthony Johnson it was always going to be wise for Bader to stick and move; wearing his opponent down before dragging the fight to the ground and grinding his way to victory. He didn’t do this. After a few seconds of circling his dangerous foe Bader shot in for a close takedown. Bad move. Johnson easily sprawled and effortlessly took the back. Bader was already in serious trouble.

Johnson’s wrestling is good, nothing special, but it was still more than enough to get him into full mount. Bader struggled to his front, but crunched up against the fence he didn’t really have anywhere to go. ‘Rumble’ took full advantage of the opening and after correcting his posture unleashed a torrent of heavy blows that quickly rendered Bader unconscious. It was all over in just 86 seconds.

Johnson has looked fantastic since failing to capture the title last year, and a title showdown with the winner of the Cormier vs. Jones rematch looks essentially set in stone following yet another brutal finish. Should the Blackzilians powerhouse continue to improve his cardio and grappling he’ll be a nightmare for either man. Bader on the other hand has some serious thinking to do. This isn’t the first time poor decision making has failed him; is he really an elite light heavyweight contender? His skills are undeniable, but a win over a serious contender continues to elude the veteran. A gatekeeper if ever I’ve seen one.

UFC on Fox 18 Main Card Results

Welterweight
Bryan Barberena def Sage Northcutt via submission (arm triangle choke) in round 2
Bantamweight
Jimmie Rivera def Iuri Alcântara via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Heavyweight
Ben Rothwell def Josh Barnett via submission (gogo choke) in round 2
Light Heavyweight
Anthony Johnson def Ryan Bader via KO (punches) in round 1

What did you think of the fight and this Fox card in general? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!