The positive for Ryan Bader Saturday night was that he picked up another victory, pushing his winning streak to three by grinding out a unanimous decision against Ovince Saint Preux during the main event at the UFC’s inaugural showcase in Maine. The negative, however, is the TUF 8 winner is now back in a familiar position—too good to consistently fight emerging talents that haven’t proven themselves, but not quite good enough to pick up that all important win against the select fighters ahead of him in the light-heavyweight rankings.
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Given the dearth of up-and-comers in the 205-pound ranks, Bader is likely headed back into a matchup with one of the division’s elite, which could very well mean the end of his current run of success.
With the championship bout between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier being delayed and Alexander Gustafsson saying he has no interest in fighting again before challenging for the title for a second time, a pairing with knockout artist Anthony Johnson remains the most logical assignment for Bader going forward. Johnson has earned consecutive victories since returning to the UFC, most recently levelling Brazilian veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in no time flat last month in San Jose. The South Florida-based fighter has won eight straight overall and has quickly established himself as a legitimate contender in the division.
As much as he’s an incredibly dangerous opponent, and one few people are lining up to fight, this is the type of bout Bader needs to shake his gatekeeper label and keep moving up the ladder. The Power MMA product isn’t going to earn a title shot by piling up five or six wins against middle-of-the-pack competition. He needs to get his hand raised against a top-5 opponent—and with Cormier and Gustafsson already busy, Rashad Evans sidelined and Glover Teixeira having already beaten him, that leaves Johnson.
It’s not a fun assignment, but it’s the one that makes the most sense right now.
Here’s a look at other fights to make for the rest of Saturday’s main card winners.
Ross Pearson vs. Michael Johnson
Pearson looked solid scoring a second-round stoppage win over Gray Maynard to continue his climb up the lightweight rankings. With crisp boxing, good footwork and solid takedown defence, the TUF 9 winner is a threat to just about anyone in the division and has positioned himself for a step up in competition next time out.
A bout with Johnson has the right feel. “The Menace” has won three straight to climb to No. 10 in the official UFC rankings and just missed out on a big opportunity when he was forced to withdraw from a fight with Josh Thomson last month on FOX. Line him up with “The Real Deal” and let the winner start taking on the lightweight elite next year.
Tim Boetsch vs. Thales Leites/Francis Carmont winner
“The Barbarian” became the first man to knock out Brad Tavares Saturday, orchestrating a come-from-behind win in front of the partisan fans in Bangor, Maine. While it was a tremendous finish, there is no reason to hastily run Boetsch back up the ladder and into a dangerous matchup just yet.
Leites and Carmont fight Saturday in Tulsa, Okla., and the winner will be in the same position as Boetsch. Though a win for Leites would give him four straight victories since returning to the UFC (and seven consecutive wins overall), he hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent yet. While Carmont currently sits at No. 12 in the rankings, he’s lost two straight.
Middleweight is starting to get top heavy and before any of these guys can break into that pack, they have to prove themselves one or two more times.
Alan Jouban vs. Neil Magny/Alex Garcia winner
Jouban looked solid in his UFC debut, earning a first-round knockout win over Seth Baczynski. At this stage, it’s about figuring out which of these late bloomers is most capable of making some noise in the division. Jouban is coming off a quality victory and the winner of the Magny/Garcia clash this weekend will be on a nice little run. This is the point where you pair fighters like this off and see which one emerges ready for a step up in competition.
Shawn Jordan vs. Ruan Potts/Anthony Hamilton winner
Potts and Hamilton have a date on the preliminary card of UFC 177 and the winner feels like the right assignment for Jordan following his victory over Jack May on Saturday.
Because the heavyweight division is incredibly thin, you never want to think about letting guys go, but the reality is that the loser of Potts/Hamilton is probably being released. As much as Jordan is an entertaining fighter, everyone he’s beaten in the UFC is no longer on the roster. Giving him a chance to gain some momentum and put a little distance between himself and a pink slip would be a good idea given that he’s a fun guy to watch every time he steps into the Octagon.
Thiago Tavares vs. Max Holloway
Tavares looked terrific in his featherweight debut, quickly taking Robbie Peralta to the canvas and patiently working to create an opportunity before sneaking in a rear-naked choke and securing the finish.
Rather than bring him along slowly, why not get a read on where he stands a little more quickly? Holloway fights UFC newcomer Clay Collard on Saturday’s main card (Mirsad Bektic was forced to pull out Monday with an injury) and if Holloway extends his winning streak to three, he could potentially break into the Top 15 in the deep and competitive 145-pound ranks. That’s the type of challenge Tavares needs in his second bout at featherweight.