TUF 8 Preview: Ryan “Darth” Bader
August 19, 2008 by Adam Morgan
Over the course of the next couple of weeks I am going to try to provide you, our loyal readers, with a preview of some of the fighters to look out for on this season of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir.
The first fighter to look out for is light heavyweight prospect Ryan “Darth” Bader. Bader was a three-time PAC 10 champion and a two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State University. He was on a wrestling team at ASU with notable UFC fighters C.B. Dollaway and Cain Velasquez. He currently trains out of Arizona Combat Sports with the likes of Dollaway, Jamie Varner, Jesse Forbes, and Ray Steinbess and carries a 7-0 professional record coming into the show.
With Bader’s strong wrestling credentials he certainly looks like he could contend for the light heavyweight contract on this season of TUF. As you can see in the video below, his striking needs work but his wrestling is pretty explosive. And though his striking may not be very clean just yet, it does appear that his punches have good power on them. Even if Bader doesn’t win the contract or make the finals it’s possible, unless something freakish occurs, that we could see him emerge as a fighter who stays with the UFC after the show is over.
Could be interesting. Trains out of a good camp for sure. Seems to have the supplex down. Better watch those shots though, if he goes up against a BJJ guy he might get his neck wrung out.
LOL at him throwing that guy in the red rash guard around. Was that a super hero he was fighting? I agree with poster above’s analysis, btw.
IS it me, or does he look an awful like Matt Hammil?
Awful LOT like Matt Hammil. I can’t type.
I really find it interesting to watch how these great wrestlers(which there are tons lately and probably even more coming) develop into mma fighters. Bader right now looks like the typical wrestler beginning his mma career. He’s got a great camp to train out of, and this experience should certainly help him immensely. Can’t wait to see how it works out for him.
another MMA website had this guy’s audition tape, and man i think some people will love to hate this guy. The audition tape has him doing a keg stand and other “intriguing” stuff.
I love supplex-ers. Hopefully we’ll see some nice ones on the show.
man that song blows……1 in every 4 MMA highlight must contain a drowning pool song its the law