Jon Jones and Ryan Bader were young, unbeaten contenders vying for a shot at light heavyweight gold when they first met at UFC 126. The spoils from that night went to Jones, who went on to defeat Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and become the greatest light heavyweight champion in UFC history.
If Bader could rewind time and throw a cog in the wheel of history, perhaps things would be different. Maybe Jones would still be stuck in the contender’s column and Bader would be the one sitting on the throne, nose-deep in sponsorships and big UFC paydays.
But there is sometimes a boomerang effect with time, bringing things full circle to map out new history.
Bader is coming off a split-decision victory over top light heavyweight contender Phil Davis and currently riding a four-fight winning streak. He is expected to meet Daniel Cormier, Jones’ most recent nemesis, in the main event of UFC Fight Night 68.
A win could finally earn Bader a chance to rewrite history. During an appearance on Submission Radio, Bader reminded the world that he is a “totally different fighter” compared to the guy that stepped into the Octagon with Jones a little over four years ago:
I’m a totally different fighter. I came into this sport as just a wrestler. I didn’t really have anything else, and by getting the right people around me and everything, I’ve definitely grown as a fighter. So I definitely want to get a rematch because I’m definitely, 100 percent, not the fighter I am, and the fighter I am today would whoop my own a– that I was back then.
Naturally, Jones disagrees with Bader’s assessment.
The reigning UFC light heavyweight champion vividly remembers crossing Bader’s name off his long list of adversaries. A modified guillotine choke in the second round derailed Bader’s undefeated record in the first meeting, but according to Jones, a rematch would have a much quicker result.
With Bader gearing up to fight Cormier, Jones is preparing to defend his UFC title for a ninth consecutive time against Anthony Johnson in the main event of UFC 187.
Depending on the outcomes, an opportunity to rewrite history could soon be up for grabs.
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA writer for Rocktagon and FanRag Sports.
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