Las Vegas – With title implications on the line, much is at stake when top light heavyweights Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Ryan Bader collide in the five-round main event of UFC FIGHT NIGHT® on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This event, which marks UFC’s seventh trip to “Gateway City”, will broadcast live on FOX.
With a potent mix of speed and power, (No.2) Rumble (20-5, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla.) poses a serious threat for anyone in the 205-pound division. Boasting a record with 14 knockouts and victories over top contenders in Jimi Manuwa, Alexander Gustafsson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Phil Davis, the former title contender is looking for another chance to challenge for championship gold.
Standing in his way, is fourth-ranked Bader (21-4, fighting out of Tempe, Ariz.), who is out to prove he is deserving of a title shot after reeling off five straight wins. With a resume that includes victories over former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, Davis, Ovince Saint Preux, Rampage Jackson and Nogueira, the 2x Division I All-American wrestler is just one win away from contending for the UFC light heavyweight strap.
Plus, former UFC heavyweight champion and sixth-ranked Josh Barnett (34-7, fighting out of Fullerton, Calif.) goes head-to-head with the always-formidable (No.8) Ben Rothwell (35-9, fighting out of Kenosha, Wisc.) in the co-main event. With 37 knockout and 23 submission victories shared, this bout is unlikely to go the distance.
Additional bouts:
· Former STRIKEFORCE welterweight champion and 10th-ranked Tarec Saffiedine (15-4, fighting out of Temecula, Calif.) returns to the Octagon to face veteran Jake Ellenberger (30-10, fighting out of Lake Forest, Calif.), a staple in the 170-pound division.
· New Jersey’s own George Sullivan (17-4, 1NC, fighting out of Belmar, N.J.) and Alexander Yakovlev (22-6-1, fighting out of Fairfield, N.J.) battle it out in a welterweight bout.
· In an exciting bantamweight matchup, Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres (10-8, 1NC, fighting out of Miami, Fla.) takes on The Ultimate Fighter Latin America Season 1 prospect Masio Fullen (10-5, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.).
· Looking for his fourth straight UFC win, lightweight Olivier Aubin-Mercier (8-1, fighting out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada) meets The Ultimate Fighter Brazil Season 4 standout Joaquim Silva (8-1, fighting out of Goiania, Goias, Brazil).
· Submission specialist Tony Martin (9-3, fighting out of Minneapolis, Minn.) faces UFC newcomer Felipe Olivieri (14-4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro) in a lightweight bout.
Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: JOHNSON vs. BADER go on sale Friday, December 18 at 10 a.m. ET and are priced at $185, $125, $90, $75, $50 and $40 (prices do not include applicable service charges and handling fees). Tickets are available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone at (800) 745-3000. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person.
UFC Fight Club® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, December 16 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, December 17 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: JOHNSON vs. BADER will air live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Saturday, January 30, with the prelims kicking off the evening on FS1 at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT.