This got “Rumble” back into the win column after suffering a third round submission loss at the hands reigning champion Daniel Cormier in their main event title fight at UFC 187.
Advertisement
As insane as it may sound to haters like Uproxx’s Jessica Hudnall, Ryan Bader should be looking at a title shot right now.
Following the defeat to Cormier, the 31-year-old Johnson returned to his winning ways with a knockout victory of Jimi Manuwa in September. Bader, who topped Rashad Evans recently, sports a 13-4 Octagon mark and is a former Ultimate Fighter victor.
“Johnson vs. Bader” will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, according to the promotion’s official website. The Blackzilians product has power that will strike fear into any man with eight of his ten UFC wins coming via knockout. But with former champ Jon Jones on his way back from suspension and a guaranteed fight for the title in his back pocket “Darth” has to win one more before getting the shot at the belt.
Jones will likely now get an immediate shot at Cormier to claim back the title he was stripped of, per Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie.
“For me, it looks like I’ve got to beat all these guys in the top five to get a shot”, he said.
In a division where it seems as if nobody can string wins together, Bader stands out with five-straight victories.
It will be interesting to see how this fight plays out.
In a ideal world, Bader should’ve fought for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship after beating Phil Davis last January.
Advertisement
Along with the main event announcement, welterweights Tarec Saffiedine and Jake Ellenberger will also square off that night.
