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Jon Jones Not Particularly Excited Over Bout With Ryan Bader - FightLine.com

Jon Jones Not Particularly Excited Over Bout With Ryan Bader

By Raj Giri | October 03, 2010 | Comments (4)


Jones says he is "sick" of this style of fight

As we noted yesterday, Ryan Bader (12-0) will face Jon Jones (11-1) at UFC 127 on SuperBowl weekend. While there are many that are excited about the two up-and-coming light heavyweight prospects squaring off this February, Jones revealed that he is not one of them. Speaking to Inside MMA this past week, Jones noted that he would like to have more variety in the types of opponents he faces instead of just facing wrestlers.
"I'm actually really sick of fighting this type of style," said Jones when asked about the prospective match-up. "Matt Hamill, Matyushenko, Jake O'Brien... they all have that similar kind of style. Their main focus is that double leg dive and [they have] sub-par boxing.

"I'm ready to fight some strikers, I'm ready to fight some south paws, I'm ready to really mix it up."

Bader will be looking to keep his undefeated record in tact when he faces Jones. Since winning The Ultimate Fighter in 2008, Bader has used his formidable wrestling skills to defeat the likes of Eric Schafer, Keith Jardine and Antônio Rogério Nogueira. Jones feels that his wrestling has been underrated, and he once again will be trying to prove the naysayers wrong.

"I'm trying to secure a respect level with my wrestling," he stated, noting that people will say that Bader will have the advantage in the grappling department. "I'm sure Ryan Bader, the advantage he'll have going in is to be the better wrestler and I'm going to try and prove the UFC wrong again."

UFC 127 is expected to take place on February 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. While not officially announced, the card is expected to be headlined by UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva defending his title against Vitor Belfort.

[James Deuce]

I don't blame him. I think both guys have more to lose than gain in this fight. Whoever wins won't have their stock rise a whole lot, while if they lose, they both lose a nice looking winning streak.

[DanC]

I really hope Jones' doesnt look his motivation to train and fight hard for this match-up. I'm sure he realises how significant it will be if he wins, as at the moment these two guys are the top 2 up-and-comers in the LHW division. If Jones can keep it on the feet and use his HUGE reach and speed advantage in the striking game then I don't think Bader will be too much of a problem.

We're yet to really see Jones on his back being held down, and if anyone can, Bader could. However, if Bader can't keep Jones down, and is forced to stand, then I see this one ending by TKO in Jones' favour.

[Buffalo Soldier]

Bader does have the advantage in wrestling, but I see him tiring out trying to hold Jones down. Jones is probably saying he will play into the wrestling game just so Bader will have to worry a little about being taken down. We all know Jones wants the fight standing.

[IceCold48]

i love jones but this is rediculously stupid. last time he faced a striker he took him down in two seconds and just elbowed the shit out of him. this fight is really significant for both and while likely lead to a title shot possibly immediately.

bader is a much better wrestler than jones imo because ive seen jones wrestle amateur style for a while. bader also isnt a bad striker either but jones totally has the edge there with that ginormous reach advantage.

all in all though i say jones takes it but it will be an awesome fight. it will probably the best and most exciting fght to watch of both of their careers. potential FOTY.

[LefthookStcrook]

Funny eh, when everyone was ducking Jones I bet he was smiling. Now he's got someone whose not at all afraid to fight him and hes " not too excited about it"

Because he's a wrestler? Jones cant go on too long at LHW without facing some type of a wrestler, better build a bridge and get over it.

Jones and Bader are two, young, strong, explosive and undefeated fighters at LHW. Could they be separately built up in hopes of boths getting title shots? Absolutley I'd have no problem with that.

But am I the only one whose pumped about this fight?! And im not even a huge fan of either. I like Jones' fighting style more but hate his personality, and its not like Bader is just dry humping guys like Maynard or Fitch, hes got some solid skills for the time he's been training.

I give huge props to Bader for stepping up, but have no idea who to give it to. Would Jones rattle Bader in the stand up and finish him? Or would Bader mount and pound him out? Both being undefeated it's hard to picture one getting finished, that said Id put my money on Bader UD.

Its a sweet title eliminator and im stoked for it TBH

[jlruthven84]

Jones cant go on too long at LHW without facing some type of a wrestler, better build a bridge and get over it.

That's the point of the article: he's faced three wrestlers already in Hamill, O'Brien, and Vladdy. Sure, Bader's probably a better wrestler than any of them, but he's still a wrestler with a wild, powerful right hand.

I doubt Jones is going to take this lightly; he's on the rise, and has too much to lose by ill preparation. But Bader's got nothing for him.

[Otomosix]

I'm interested to see if Jones can judo throw Bader. Even once. That would make my day.

[xrjxarsonx]

I dont really get this fight business wise, why end an up-and-coming star's undefeated steak if you dont have to?

why not build them separately and have two new faces in the contender's circle, instead of cutting the legs out from one of them. And like Duece said, the win isnt really going to do much for either, but the loss will definitely kill any momentum they have been building.

[CtGreat]

Originally Posted by IceCold48

i love jones but this is rediculously stupid. last time he faced a striker he took him down in two seconds and just elbowed the shit out of him. this fight is really significant for both and while likely lead to a title shot possibly immediately.

bader is a much better wrestler than jones imo because ive seen jones wrestle amateur style for a while. bader also isnt a bad striker either but jones totally has the edge there with that ginormous reach advantage.

all in all though i say jones takes it but it will be an awesome fight. it will probably the best and most exciting fght to watch of both of their careers. potential FOTY.

You dont like his personality? Honestly, Jones is one of the most humble UFC Employees ive ever seen. This is probably the only time ive ever seen him complain about anything and hes right, his past 3/4 fighters have been wrestlers. He said that he was ready to face a striker because he has been training allot in that area of his game. Yea, the Brandon Vera fight he just threw him on the ground and broke his face in, but vera has a good clinch game so he probably just wanted to see if he could do it. I also want to see him face a good striker, no i dont really consider Vera a good striker either.