Ryan Bader is back “in the mix”, as Dana White likes to say, when it comes to the UFC Light Heavyweight decision. Bader outlasted Quinton “Rampage” Jackson en route to a unanimous decision victory and taking the joy out of Jackson’s return to Japan.
Bader was the more mobile fighter early, landing jabs and leg kicks while also able to frustrate Jackson against the cage. Jackson did land one of his trademark slams in round two, but was unable to turn around the momentum, as Bader scored two more takedowns before the round was over.
Round three saw Bader put Jackson on his back early and keep him there, threatening with both a kimura and guillotine in the final minute of the fight to walk away with 3-27 scores on all scorecards.