Ryan Bader (11-0 MMA) meets the seasoned veteran Antônio Rogério Nogueira (19-3 MMA) this weekend at UFC 119 in Indianapolis as the co-main event. Ryan is a tough wrestling based fighter who was a three-time Pac-10 champion and two-time D-1 all American. His striking is powerful on the feet, and can easily finish standing or by ground and pound. He is The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 winner, and like all MMA superpowers mixes his striking with great wrestling to win him fights.

Antônio Rogério Nogueira is an Olympic Gold caliber boxer with a strong Jiu Jitsu base, but recently has shown flaws in his fight game. Antônio Rogério Nogueira is 34, and fatigue really was shown in his fight against Jason Brilz (18-3 MMA), a fight many fans believe the split decision should have went in favor of Brilz. Jason had very nice takedowns and control in his fights and his style is very similar to Ryan Bader.  Jason also exchanged strikes with Nogueira during the fight without being knocked out, something Bader can capitalize on.

Jason Brilz has a wrestling pedigree, slightly comparable to Bader and held his own in the standing striking portions of the Little Nog fight. Ryan has shown improvements in his striking with every fight and his explosive MMA wrestling is considered one of, if not the best MMA wrestling in the 205 lb. division. His Ground and Pound has very good form and is full of power which could spell an early cut stoppage or TKO over Nogueira.

Ryan has also shown us a great improvement in his cardio and late fight finishing power with his Keith Jardine domination. He has a great grinding clinch work, devastating slams, a great chin, and power striking both standing and on the mat so this will prove to be a very hard fight for Nogueira where ever the fight goes.

Look for this to be a very exciting fight, and it’s a very good test for both fighters. Will Ryan be the second ASU wrestler to knock out a Nogueira? Have to wait and tune in this weekend to find out.

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