Ryan BaderBader fought Carmelo Marrero last April as a featured fight in UFC's Fight Night 18 in Nashville, Tennessee. He won a three-round battle using his wrestling to control and dominate in a unanimous three-round decision. In that fight, Bader tore his PCL and MCL, which put him out of action for six months. He competed last weekend in Los Angeles at UFC 104, beating Eric Schafer in another dominating three-round decision.
UFC rising star Ryan "Darth" Bader, who is now sporting an 11-0 MMA record, talks to InterMat about his MMA career, camp, Arizona State, and more.
It looked like two or three times you were going to finish Eric Schafer in the first round and he just seemed to take a beating and survive. Were you surprised at how tough his chin was?
Bader: I knew he was tough going into this fight. He was on a four-fight win streak and I had just watched the Houston Alexander fight and Schafer took some huge shots and kept coming after him and eventually tapped him. So I knew he would not give up one bit.
Ryan BaderBader: My knee is one hundred percent. It feels good and I am completely healthy after this fight. My knee was a non-issue in this fight.
You are now 3-0 in the UFC and 11-0 overall. Who would you like to fight next? How far away are you from Lyoto Machida and/or a title shot?
Bader: I have no idea who I will fight next. Whoever the UFC puts in front of me. I need a lot of experience before I ever start thinking about fighting Machida. I need to put in more work and keep developing my skills. When I fight for the title I want to be the best fighter I can be.
You showed great power and great wrestling in your last fight. What areas do you want to improve upon?
Bader: I want to be more technical and not always put so much power behind my punches. I need to relax sometimes and not swing for the fences every single time. I also need to throw straighter punches, but those overhands were working so I kept throwing them.
What are you better than C.B. Dollaway and Aaron Simpson at? What are they better than you at?
Bader: I feel we are all around the same level ... and we kick each other's butt day in and day out, so I couldn't tell you.
What do you want people who don't know about Arizona Combat Sports to be aware of?
Bader: We are a tight-knit group and this is just the beginning. I feel we could have a couple UFC champs out of Arizona Combat Sports. Also, for every guy that is in the UFC at ACS, there are five others that are just as good.
Ryan BaderBader: Never once did I feel in danger in this fight. Sensors went off in my head telling me to get out of it but there was no pain or threat for me tapping.
Why is wrestling considered by many as the best MMA base to have?
Bader: I feel it is the best base because a wrestler can dictate the fight. I didn't want to be on the ground with Schafer, so I used my wrestling to keep it on my feet. If I am fighting a pretty good striker I might take it to the ground. So wrestlers have that going for them, and also they have been competing their entire life in a hard-nosed sport that accepts nothing less than hard work and sacrifice. Wrestlers are not afraid of hard work and know how to train to be successful.
What advice would you give a wrestler going into MMA?
Bader: Get in the gym. Honestly, there's no easy way. You have to learn all the components of MMA or you will look like a fish out of water. Put forth the effort you gave in wrestling and you should be successful in MMA.
How far will Arizona State go this season under new coach Shawn Charles?
Bader: I have been in the room and they look great! I feel they could be top five at nationals. They have a new energy about them probably due to the change in coaching staff. Look for them to do real well this year.
For more information about Ryan Bader, visit www.ryanbader.com.
For all things MMA, follow Tony Nguyen on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tonynguyenmma.
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