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UFC 119 Preview: Ryan Bader on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira - "I Believe My Wrestling Can Neutralize His Jiu Jitsu"

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Ryan Bader, the season 8 winner of The Ultimate Fighter is a -150 favorite over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

One of the fast rising prospects in the division, Ryan Bader (11-0) talked about his UFC 119 co-headlining bout against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-3). The two-time Division 1 wrestler says he's confident that his wrestling can neutralize Lil Nog's jiujitsu:

I do feel confident standing with Nog. He has great boxing, and great counter punches. The thing is, this is MMA and with 4 oz gloves on anything can happen. I feel that I hit very hard and have a good chin, so who knows a KO could happen.

He is very good on the ground and I am very good at my wrestling game. I have fought many black belts in my career and train with even more. I have to be smart when I’m on the canvas with Rogerio. He is very slick but I believe my wrestling can neutralize his Jiu Jitsu.

Bader also goes on to say that the Lil Nog's controversial victory against Jason Brilz did show some holes in his game:

I plan on finishing this fight any way I can; whether that is a KO or a TKO from ground & pound. Rogerio is an extremely hard fighter to finish but I am going to go in there and try to do just that... I am going to prepare to fight the best Nogueira that has ever fought. The Brilz fight did show me some holes in Nogueira’s game and some things to consider but I am going to try and go out and fight my fight.

After the jump, Ryan "Darth" Bader talks about the origin of his nickname.

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Aaron Simpson was calling me "Darth" in college when he was a coach on ASU's wrestling team. After college I went to Arizona Combat Sports and they started calling me "Darth" without any previous knowledge so it just stuck with me. It is better than "Master Bader" so I will take Darth.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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