Ryan Bader-Anthony Johnson Fight Happening? [Updates & Rumors]

Ryan Bader would have been a top choice to face Daniel Cormier for the UFC Light Heavyweight title but it seems that arranging a title match is not as easy as the UFC would normally follow.

Bader is coming off an impressive win over Rashad Evans, which in all technically lines him up for a shot at DC’s title. But there is one problem – Jon Jones.

To date, Jones is still on indefinite suspension after being tied up with a hit-and-run incident that happened back in April. The incident likewise led to the UFC stripping him of the title which was eventually won by Cormier over Anthony Johnson.

Cormier successfully defended the title over Alexander Gustaffson at UFC 192 earlier this month, hacking out a split decision victory over the Swede. But on the same night, equally impressive was Bader’s unanimous decision win over Evans, spoiling the latter’s return after nearly two years.

For Bader, he knows that he deserves a title-shot but the UFC may not necessarily give it right now. A lot of it would depend on the real score of Bones. The latest word from the UFC is that Jones’ suspension will remain.

Jones is required to make 72 appearances doing work with charity after which he will be re-sentenced per terms of a conditional charge.

So in short, Bader’s chance of getting a title-shot somehow hinges on that though his mindset is that he will be Cormier’s next opponent.

"What I think [the UFC] should do, is they should wait ... I don't know, 10 months, and give Ryan Bader this title shot, and [Jon Jones] can come back and fight me once I get that. That's what I think should happen," he points out.

How about a possible fight with Anthony Johnson, the same man that Cormier defeated for the title?

Seeing that Bader improved in the rankings, moving up to the no. 3 spot, a fight with Johnson could make sense. To date, Johnson is at the no. 1 spot.

Apparently Bader is setting his eye on the prize and that is against Cormier. But technically that may not happen until the whole Jon Jones issue is settled. So if Cormier is waiting for Jones, it radiates all the way to Bader and his title shot aspirations.

Bader, currently riding on a five-fight winning streak’s future seems to hang on the balance. While there are a lot of possible opponents right now he could opt to face, he has his eyes fixed on the UFC Light Heavyweight title and nothing else.