Ryan Bader vs. Ilir Latifi: Results and Reaction from UFC Fight Night 93

At UFC Fight Night 93, airing on Fight Pass live from Hamburg, Germany, on Saturday, American Ryan Bader (21-5) squared off with Sweden's Ilir Latifi (12-5) in Bader's first fight since a fast and violent KO loss to Anthony "Rumble" Johnson in January.

His return proved to be spectacular. At just over two minutes into Round 2, Latifi shot in for a takedown with a level change, the last of several he attempted throughout the fight, and Bader knocked him out cold with a knee. 

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Bader was calculating and tentative in the first round, looking more comfortable and self-assured in the opening minute than he had against Johnson. He effectively stayed Latifi with body kicks and carefully timed strikes and stuffed or escaped all of the Swede's takedown attempts.

Both fighters are strong wrestlers, and it shows in how little either was able to accomplish by using it. Toward the end of the first, Latifi dropped Bader with a big right, but the American recovered enough to get back to his feet and survive to the end of the round.

The UFC provided video of Round 1's highlights:

"

OHHHH @LatifiMMA catches @RyanBader but Bader recovers! Fun first round! #UFCHamburg https://t.co/pVXPq5bJhI

— #UFCHamburg (@ufc) September 3, 2016"

Round 2 began with striking, but Bader soon shot for a takedown, which Latifi met with a sprawl and a choke attempt that Bader managed to escape. When Latifi shot in for his fifth takedown, per FightMetric, Bader caught his exposed head on the level change with a solid knee to the face. Latifi immediately fell backward unconscious, and Bader walked off as the referee stepped in to call the fight at 2:06 of the second round. 

Bloody Elbow analyzed the action:

"

Bader can really push the pace on Latifi and force him to out work his cardio. #UFCHamburg

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) September 3, 2016"

"

Problem for Latifi is against higher level guys, he doesn't have the tech or output to follow a hard shot with good offense. #UFCHamburg

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) September 3, 2016"

In his post-fight interview in the Octagon, Bader said of the finish: "This was something new, you know, I haven’t had a kick or a knee knockout. You kind of know when it hits a sweet spot and you see him go back and he’s done. It was just a great feeling. All the accumulation of hard work comes together at that one moment."

The UFC captured Bader's big moment:

"

OH MY @RYANBADER!!!!!! #UFCHamburg https://t.co/KxlGUsZt3s

— #UFCHamburg (@ufc) September 3, 2016"

Bader was the No. 4-ranked light heavyweight coming into the fight, with wins over Rashad Evans, Phil Davis and Rampage Jackson. Johnson, who last beat Bader, is the No. 1 contender to champion Daniel Cormier. Glover Teixeira sits at No. 3, and former challenger Alexander Gustafsson is No. 2; Rumble has knocked out both of them.

Bader continues to develop, so a bid for the belt might be slightly premature. Gustafsson, who just won a decision at Fight Night 93 over Jan Blachowicz, could be a good opponent for him in a title eliminator. Cormier will likely meet Johnson or Jon Jones next, although no fight has been announced.

Bader, however, was not so concerned with his next fight. Also in the interview, he said, "I’ve fought everybody in the division—a who’s who throughout my career—so at this point who cares who’s next." 

This was Latifi's first showdown with a Top 10 light heavyweight, and it may have been too great a leap too soon. He beat No. 15 Gian Villante in March, but besides Bader, he has otherwise not faced any of the Top 15.

Latifi shows great promise, but his game still has holes that are easily exploited. A fight with No. 9 Antonio Rogerio Nogueira or No. 10 Nikita Krylov could help reassert his place among the Top 15.