UFC 144 Fight Card: Quinton Jackson Will Bounce Back with Win over Ryan Bader

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson endured a hard-fought loss against Jon Jones in his last fight back in September, so he will certainly be motivated to perform at UFC 144. Jackson will use that motivation to score an impressive win over Ryan Bader.

The 28-year-old Bader is a rising star in the light heavyweight division, but he is still looking for a signature win after consecutive losses to Jones and Tito Ortiz. Beating Jackson would obviously do the trick, but that is far easier said than done.

Jackson and Bader will be competing in the second-last fight on the card from Saitama, Japan, so it is a huge bout for both of them as they are looking to get back on track. Bader won his last fight against Jason Brilz, but he doesn't have the same aura as he did when he was undefeated prior to facing Jones and Ortiz.

While Bader is more of an up-and-comer, Jackson has long been considered one of the best in the sport and is looking to affirm that on Saturday.

Bader is actually an inch and a pound bigger than Jackson, but Rampage has always come across as the stronger and more physical fighter, so he has an edge in that department.

Jackson is also superior to Bader in an intangible that cannot be taught—experience.

Jackson has competed in all levels of mixed martial arts and has 41 career fights to his credit, while Bader has a mere 15. Jackson has been through plenty of battles and has seen it all, so Bader isn't likely to surprise him with anything.

Both competitors have backgrounds that include amateur wrestling, so it should be a very interesting matchup. Both Jackson and Bader are adept mat grapplers, and they also know how to get out of sticky situations, so it could be a stalemate for much of the fight.

Jackson seems to be a more well-rounded fighter than Bader, though, as he is equally adept at submitting his opponents as he is knocking them out. That versatility should serve Jackson well since Bader figures to give him everything he can handle.

Rampage has already gone through one semi-retirement, and at 33 years of age there's no telling how much time he has left in the octagon. I have to believe that he wants another shot at Jones and the title, and because of that he will be on top of his game in a vital victory over Bader.