Ep 26. UFC on Fox 18: Johnson vs. Bader
- January 30, 2016
UFC Fight Night season 9 episode 26, titled "UFC on Fox 18: Johnson vs. Bader," showcases a highly awaited heavyweight match between Ryan Bader and Anthony Johnson. The fight takes place on January 30, 2016, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and is broadcasted live on Fox Sports 1 for the audience's viewing pleasure.
Headlining the event is the main event between the two heavyweight champions. Anthony Johnson, known for his heavy-handed striking, is a feared fighter in his weight division. Johnson is coming into the fight on the heels of a three-fight victory streak, including a knockout win over Jimi Manuwa at UFC 191. Ryan Bader, on the other hand, has a wrestling-heavy style, known for his takedowns and grappling. Bader is no slouch with his striking either, and is riding a five-fight win streak coming into the show, with his last victory over Rashad Evans at UFC 192.
As far as the co-main event goes, the bout features a lightweight division matchup between Sage Northcutt and Bryan Barberena. Sage Northcutt, an American martial artist, is known for his impressive record of eight wins out of nine fights. However, he is coming off a loss from his previous fight and is looking to get back in the winning column. Bryan Barberena, his opponent, has a record of 110 wins and six losses, and has placed himself as a top contender in the division. This match is one to watch, with both fighters looking to make a statement.
The show also features a stacked undercard, including:
- Tarec Saffiedine vs Jake Ellenberger - welterweight division - Diego Ferreira vs Olivier Aubin-Mercier - lightweight division - Kevin Casey vs Rafael Natal - middleweight division - Dustin Ortiz vs Wilson Reis - flyweight division - Alexander Yakovlev vs George Sullivan - welterweight division - Alex Caceres vs Masio Fullen - featherweight division - Levan Makashvili vs Damon Jackson - featherweight division
The matchup between Tarec Saffiedine and Jake Ellenberger in the welterweight division is sure to be a thrilling contest. Saffiedine, a veteran striker, has a strong record of four wins and two losses in the UFC. Ellenberger has been in the UFC longer, with a record of nine wins and eight losses, but has lately been struggling to find his form, having lost four of his previous five fights.
Diego Ferreira and Olivier Aubin-Mercier fight for the lightweight division title. Both fighters are well-rounded and known for their ability to finish fights. Ferreira has an impressive record of 12 wins and two losses, while Aubin-Mercier has gained a lot of fans with his charismatic personality and fighting style.
In the middleweight division, Kevin Casey and Rafael Natal are set to do battle. Casey has a record of nine wins, four losses, and a no contest, while Natal has been performing well and has a record of nine wins, four losses, and a draw.
The flyweight division also has a great matchup, with Dustin Ortiz vs Wilson Reis. Both fighters are looking to rise in the rankings, and this fight could determine who will be taking the next step forward in the division.
Alexander Yakovlev faces off against George Sullivan in the welterweight division. Yakovlev has been in the UFC for only a few fights but has shown great potential with his striking skills. Sullivan, on the other hand, is a well-rounded fighter with high-end grappling skills.
Alex Caceres and Masio Fullen are also set to fight in the featherweight division. Caceres has been in the UFC for a while and is known for his entertaining fight style. Fullen is an up-and-coming fighter in the division, looking to get his first win in the UFC.
Lastly, Levan Makashvili and Damon Jackson fight in the featherweight division. Both fighters are looking to get back in the win column after incurring losses in their previous fights.
Overall, UFC Fight Night season 9 episode 26 is an action-packed show with great matchups for fans to enjoy. Featuring well-known fighters and rising stars, the event gives fans a glimpse of the competitive talent in their respective divisions.
