6 Main Card Predictions For UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Saint Preux

1. Ryan Bader vs. Ovince Saint Preux

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwnJf5TOrso Weight Class: Light Heavyweight Is Ryan "Darth" Bader still the title challenger we thought he was? Is he just a gatekeeper? Is Ovince Saint Preux a possible title contender? These three questions are essentially what will be answered come the main event of UFC Fight Night 47 on Saturday night. The Bader/Saint Preux main event was quickly set after UFC 174, sparked by fan and media interest during and immediately after the event. Saint Preux is a slick submission specialist, Bader has dominant wrestling. In recent years Ryan Bader (17-4) has become a stepping stone to a title shot in the UFC, making him the light heavyweight divisions primary gatekeeper, but there were always greater expectations for Darth. Now on a two fight win streak with victories over Anthony Perosh and Rafael Cavalcante, the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ, Bader has again positioned himself to take a stab at title contention, with the only downside being that current champ Jon Jones has already defeated him, in a fight that earned him the title shot he used to take the belt in the first place. Ovince Saint Preux (16-5), meanwhile, is on a five fight win streak dating back to Strikeforce, and was most recently seen breaking Ryan Jimmo's arm at UFC 174. He has put himself in the top 10 at light heavyweight, now the question becomes: does he belong there? This bout comes down to competition level. Both men have great cardio. Bader has the wrestling, Saint Preux the submission game. On the feet they're probably about equal despite questions about Bader's chin, and this is likely to be a very competitive fight. I'm expecting Bader's wrestling to be the story here: he looked absolutely dominant against Cavalcante, while this is honestly a step up in competition for Saint Preux, who hasn't quite been fighting the same caliber of opponents as Bader. Bader by decision, though no matter who wins they're probably still two victories away from a title shot, barring another injury.