Ryan Bader Plans to Make a Statement, Finish Rashad Evans at UFC 192

Ryan Bader is the only fighter ranked in the top five of the UFC light heavyweight division that hasn’t fought for the title. He felt like he was passed over when the organization paired Alexander Gustafsson – who is coming off a loss – against champion Daniel Cormier for the headlining fight for UFC 192.

Bader didn’t get the title shot that he lobbied for, but he landed a main card match-up with former champion Rashad Evans on the same pay-per-view event.

The 32-year-old Bader plans to make a statement and show that he deserves a title fight when he faces Evans at the Toyota Center on Oct. 3.

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“I plan to go out there, make it five in a row, but not only make it five in a row, make a statement, put away a guy like Rashad who’s been a champion. That’s one of the best guys in the world, top five right now. So that’s my plan,” Bader recently told Submission Radio.

He hopes to leave a lasting impression on the fans and the matchmakers, a type of performance that leaves no doubt that he’s next in line.

“I’ve got to switch it up a little bit with Rashad and just get after him, try and go take it, and take that fight to him from bell to bell,” he said. “That’s my plan, and I’ve got to go, like I said, I’ve got to go put it in their minds that I deserve the shot after I go out there and beat Rashad.”

Evans hasn’t fought since November 2013. Two knee surgeries and rehabilitation has kept The Ultimate Fighter 2 winner on the sidelines. Bader believes the aging Evans is out of his prime.

“Coming off two ACL surgeries back to back and try to rehabilitate, and then not only that, get your body back into the mode of training the whole time. Honestly, I’m surprised if he shows up,” said the Nevada native.

“If you’re not training for two years, your body isn’t used to that, the rigors of a training camp and what you have to put it through to be in peak physical condition. Yeah, you can skate by and do just enough and show up to the fight pretty much unprepared, but you made it. So we’ll see how that happens. Two ACL surgeries in a row, it’s no joke, especially at his age,” Bader said.

To send a statement, Bader is going to have to finish the former champion. He’s going to have to put Evans away, and that’s exactly what he predicts will happen.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be, but I look to go out there and finish him and earn my shot. So I’m going to call a finish. I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but I’m going to make it happen.”