Jon Jones "Obsessed" With Ryan Bader

Jon Jones elaborates on his earlier comments that he was tired of fighting wrestler/boxers like Ryan Bader. Ben Fowlkes catches the conversation:

"I thought Bader was exposed. At first, Bader had me a believer in his double-legs. I thought with his strength and his power, he could double-leg down anyone. But Nogueira exposed him in the wrestling department, big time. That was interesting to see."

...

"I think he gassed out and I think he's been gassing out in his last few fights. With his strength may come a lack of cardio. ... Where he has the physical power, I think genetics don't allow him to be able to go a vicious fifteen minutes like he needs to, especially when someone really puts the heat on him."
...

"I was studying him and Nogueira, but now that I know it's Bader I'm watching all his fights, all his interviews - I'm obsessed with the guy. It's a great feeling."

"I want to get to know Ryan Bader as if I was his coach or his trainer. I want to know what his tendencies are, what punch he throws the most, what makes him want to shoot his double-leg, where is his mental security blanket is in the Octagon. You know, where does he like to shoot? Does he like to shoot in the middle of the cage or against the cage? Every time I watch a fight I pick up something different. I just like to study. There's a quote that says, 'If you know yourself and you know your opponent, you shouldn't fear the results of 100 battles.' Just really being prepared gives you a lot of confidence."

Jones is one of the most cerebral young fighters in MMA today. It is almost frightening to think of the already tape-obsessed Jones training under Greg Jackson, the "Yoda of MMA" when poor Ryan Bader has left his coaching staff at Arizona Combat Sports and is training with friends C.B. Dollaway and Aaron Simpson. Not that those aren't smart, dedicated guys, but it's not quite the same as training under Greg Jackson.

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