American will take on Aussie Anthony Perosh on December 7.
Ryan Bader will look to get his career back on track when he fights Australian Anthony Perosh on the main card for UFC Fight Night 9 which will be held in Brisbane on December 7.
Bader has lost two of his past three fights but is still ranked as one of the best light heavyweights in the world, and will pose a big step up for veteran Perosh.
In his recent fights Bader has taken on the likes of champion Jon Jones, plus superstars Tito Ortiz, Lyoto Machida and Rampage Jackson, the last of whom he beat via unanimous decision in February, 2012.
Perosh made a big impact last time inside the Octagon as he only needed 14 seconds to knock out Vinny Magalhaes.
The opportunity to fight a top 10 fighter in the world in the 205 pound division is not lost on Perosh who said doing so in front of his countrymen will give him an extra reason to have his hand raised.
“This is my chance to show I belong in the division’s Top 10,” Perosh said.
“This fight means everything to me. Ryan’s one of the guys I was really chasing because, having won four of my last five, all by finish, I rwanted to take a step up. To test myself against a quality opponent.
“Even despite a couple of recent losses, Bader is rated among the best in the division. He’s fought the best, Jones, Machida, won against Rampage . . . everyone who follows the sport knows who he is.”
The rest of the main card is shaping as the biggest ever to be held in Australia, with James Ta Huna to shape up against Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva will take on veteran Mark Hunt.
“It’s shaping up as a huge card isn’t it?” Perosh said.
“I know in the past fans here have complained about some of the cards but given the UFC is an international brand, and fighters get injured, you can’t always have top 10 guys challenging one another.
“So the complaints, I don’t really like it. But this card is a great one for Australian fans.
“Personally, Bader will be the best wrestler I’ve ever fought. My game has always been to get blokes to the ground and finish them, which won’t change. But I’ve also been working hard on my boxing so if he wants to stand and trade that’s fine by me. I’ll go looking for the knockout.”
