If mixed martial arts had a Mount Rushmore, the chiseled faces of Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre and Randy Couture would be etched in it forever, watching over the legions of fighters who one day hope to have their likeness immortalized.
To become a UFC champion, it not only takes skill but intangibles: the charisma, the intelligence, the grit that sets you apart from other would-be contenders. Top-ranked light heavyweights Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis and Ryan Bader face off in Stockholm, Sweden, at UFC on Fox 14 with one goal in mind: prove that they’re not just another idle contender.
Davis and Bader possess a similar history. Both were in their mid-20s and undefeated when they entered the Octagon for the first time, and both were NCAA Division I All-American wrestlers, grappling at Penn State (Davis) and Arizona State (Bader).
“He’s a good, solid athlete. [He’s] strong, with knockout power,” Davis told Sherdog.com about Bader. “It’s a must-win, I’ll tell you that.”
The hype that surrounded the pair five years ago hasn’t changed; only their records. Plaguing Bader and Davis has been their inability to nab that one career-defining win.
Each man has slipped up just as he began to build momentum. In 2011, Bader was finished by then-rising star Jon Jones and future Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz. Bader‘s opponent, Mr. Wonderful, allowed himself to be outwrestled by former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans in a title eliminator in January 2012.
While they have not quite made it over the hump yet, what we do know is that each fighter is supremely talented. However, only one has shown that he has evolved and that any weakness has been eliminated.
Davis’ record speaks for itself. The former Nittany Lions wrestling standout has racked up nine wins and just two losses. His victims include then-up-and-comer Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida and Glover Teixeira. Subsequently, Davis has dubbed himself the “Brazilian Killer” due to his 3-0 record over Brazilians in their home country.
In his last two wins, decisions over Top 10 opponents Machida and Teixeira, Davis emerged victorious partly due to a tenacious wrestling game and improved striking. His striking, which had looked elementary in Davis’ first few fights, appeared to be at its best against Teixeira, a former title contender.
His hands will hardly improve to where they match his technique on the mat, but Davis made good use of them in his grudge match with Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Vinny Magalhaes at UFC 159.
“Their fight began with Davis looking to stick-and-move, something that became a theme throughout the larger contest,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Craig Amos in April 2013. “The jab-cross technique isn’t the most thrilling to behold, but Davis kept at it and Magalhaes had no answer.”
It also helps for Davis to make use of the significant reach advantage he typically has over opponents, something that will come into play against the heavy-handed Bader.
Knockouts haven’t been as forthcoming as they used to be for Bader, who recorded three in his first six fights. Bader‘s last knockout victory came against Jason Brilz in November 2011.
Bader has drudged through three straight decisions, including wins over Rafael Cavalcante and Ovince Saint Preux in 2014.
Furthermore, if we compare his track record against that of Davis, a couple of things are clear. Bader‘s most recent and most devastating losses have come against foes who Davis has dispatched. That includes Machida and Teixeira, whom Davis landed a staunch nine takedowns against in October.
In both losses, Bader played right into the styles of Machida and Teixeira. The two heavy hitters picked him apart when the All-American neglected to even attempt to make it a wrestling match, which is precisely where Bader and Davis differ.
Rather than engage with one of world’s most accomplished jiu-jitsu aces, Davis stood and exchanged with the less experienced boxer in Magalhaes.
“Though scoring a crushing knockout or out-dueling Magalhaes on the mat would have made a grander statement, the intelligence Davis displayed ultimately asserts him as even more dangerous in the long run,” wrote Amos.
While Davis’ confidence is at an all-time high, he did slip up in April against the returning Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Throughout the entire three-round affair, Davis had no answer for the jabs and uppercuts of Rumble.
Five years ago, Davis and Bader were burgeoning MMA prospects sitting on a dream. Each has plotted an eerily similar course that has them knocking on the doorstep of what may soon be title-shot territory.
On January 24, one man will be left as a pretender and the other a title-worthy candidate.
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