Bader/Nog

By Jason Kelly

Undefeated is something every fighter yearns to attach to their name, Ryan Bader currently embraces that handle and intends to keep it that way after he is finished with Antonio Rogerio “Lil Nog” Nogueira at UFC 119.

Bader is fighting not only the most experienced fighter of his career, “Lil Nog” is also tough as leather and has verified that with his epic Pride Fighting crusades. Bader departed Arizona Combat Sports along with Aaron Simpson and CB Dollaway to join Lion’s Den is Scottsdale AZ with expectations of furthering their career. This could cause an interruption or setback in a fighter’s career however, in Bader’s situation his abrupt change in gyms should improve his overall game. He now has a vast array of coaches, Mario Francis will improve Bader’s boxing and Andre “Urso” Maracaba is essential in this fight with his abundance of BJJ experience and accomplishments. Erik Larkin’s expertise will compliment Bader’s already elite wrestling. These adjustments along with Bader’s recent KO success against Keith Jardine adds to his momentum, but Ryan has to remember, Nogueira doesn’t go down easy.

Lil Nog’s career speaks for itself. A Pride legend who has been stopped only once, he has embarked in wars that are considered classics, and he employs all around martial arts skills that are headaches for any opponent. Being a Black House fighter allows Nogueira to train with some of the best fighters in the world; he himself has acquired 2 amateur boxing titles and medaled Bronze in the 2007 Pan-Am Games, he also flaunts a BJJ black belt and has a great Muay Thai instructor in Anderson Silva. Nogueira was rumored to fight other combatants in the making of this fight, based on his performance against Jason Brilz in his previous fight; Bader appears to be the biggest threat for “Lil Nog”. Nogueira defeated Brilz in a decision that could have easily went Brilz’s way, Rogerio had no problem striking in the first round but, had fits with Brilz’s wrestling and control in rounds 2 and 3.

Bader may possess the tools to beat Nogueira, tremendous wrestling accompanied with effective striking to achieve takedowns and control Lil Nog in top position, looking to ground and pound for a TKO victory. There’s not a hope in hell Bader will submit Nogueira, and standing with a boxer of that caliber, even though Bader has respectable hands, is not the ideal choice. If Nogueira is winning the stand up battle and the time comes (I presume it will) for Bader to take “Lil Nog” to the mat, Bader still has to be cautious of Noguiera’s submissions, more so than Noguiera’s boxing. Bader needs to watch for wrist control and the submission, or he’ll finish up like Chael Sonnen.

Bader, coming from the TUF house where his coach ironically was Rogerio’s brother Rodrigo, has proved himself in every fight showing improvement and most importantly; winning. Nogueira will test Bader’s hands but, if “Lil Nog” lets Bader tee off on his chin the way Anderson let Bader on The Ultimate Fighter, it could be Bader’s biggest KO win to date.


http://www.mmareligion.com/site2/?p=923

iceberg that's a decent breakdown but it presupposes Bader has the same skills as Brilz. Brilz has been fighting MMA for as long as Nog and had nearly an identical record. While the opponents he faced weren't in Nog's league, his experience and submission skill are something Bader won't bring to the table.

But I also think Bader is a better striker. Bader was losing to Jardine until the final frame but he does have a chin finding ability.

The question will be if Bader can survive counter punches long enough to tag Nog, and what happens when he does. Bader won't get into Nog's guard, I am sure of that.

don't give credit to iceberg, he just copy and pasted to his buddies site.