UFC on Fox 4: Bader vs. Machida Head-to-Toe Breakdown

I am extremely excited for the next UFC card. UFC on Fox 4 features many marquee matchups that should please all fans.

I'm going to focus on the co-main event of this card, which features former light-heayweight champion Lyoto Machida against the rising Ryan Bader.

This fight should produce fireworks, as both competitors are excellent fighters who bring many skills to the table.

With that, let's take a closer look at the matchup between these two men.

Striking

Both of these men have excellent and very powerful striking. Bader has fight-ending power as he has finished six opponents by KO or TKO.

That being said, I believe Machida is the better striker, slipping in and out of fights effortlessly due to his unorthodox karate background. The movements that Machida uses have baffled every opponent he's faced, including Jon Jones in the first round of their fight.

I think Machida's powerful and elusive striking gives him an edge over Bader.

 

Edge: Machida

Wrestling

Ryan Bader wrestled at Arizona State University where he was a two-time Division I All American and a three-time Pac-10 champion.

Bader has used his wrestling to great effect in past bouts, mostly notably to defeat Rampage Jackson in Japan.

Bader has the wrestling to put Machida on his back.

 

Edge: Bader

Submissions/Grappling

As it turns out, Ryan Bader has more submissions wins (three) that Lyoto Machida does (two).

Machida, however, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. If this fight goes to the ground based on Bader's wrestling, Machida holds a grappling edge.

 

Edge: Machida

Intangibles

Machida is a former light-heavyweight champion. His record as of late. however, is not impressive. He only has one win in his last four matches and is coming off of a loss to champion Jon Jones.

Bader, on the other hand, is coming off the most impressive win of his career against Rampage Jackson in Japan. He is riding high after that win and his KO over Jason Brilz.

Lyoto has the experience and the movement in this fight, but Bader has fight-stopping power in his fists and excellent wrestling.

This makes for a very interesting matchup.

Prediction

This fight will be amazing on a stacked card on Fox. It should produce fireworks and be very fan friendly.

I believe this matchup will be a striking battle despite Bader's wrestling. If the stand-up isn't going his way, I believe he will revert back to his bread and butter and attempt to take Machida to the mat.

I think Bader keeps riding high on his wave of momentum and grinds out a decision over "The Dragon."

 

Prediction: Bader defeats Machida via Decision

 

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