Anthony Johnson doesn’t think Ryan Bader’s earned No. 1 contender status, challenges him to a fight

By Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Anthony "Rumble" Johnson

Ryan Bader doesn’t think he needs another fight to be in line for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, and believes he should be the No. 1 contender pending the return of former champ Jon Jones. However, a former No. 1 contender, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, doesn’t think Bader’s deserving of that spot yet.

In a post made to his Facebook page, Johnson thinks Bader hasn’t beaten a highly enough ranked opponent to get into that spot, and thinks they should fight one another to determine who’s next.

Just read that Ryan Bader said he’s the number one contender. Well, imo, he isn’t by any means. How can a true athlete…

Posted by Anthony “Rumble” Johnson on Wednesday, October 14, 2015

 

Penick’s Analysis: I think Bader-Johnson is going to happen; it only makes sense from a timing perspective. Daniel Cormier says he wants to take a break, and that’s almost assuredly going to guarantee that his next fight is against Jon Jones. Bader isn’t going to be put into a title fight if he holds out for nine months to a year, and that’s the type of timetable he’d be looking at. The wins haven’t been inspired enough to make him the man the UFC feels compelled to put in there next. Fair or not, that’s where he’s at.

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