Ryan Bader got himself back into the win column Saturday with the best knockout of his career.
The light heavyweight contender bounced back in emphatic fashion from a KO loss in his last fight, drilling Ilir Latifi with a perfectly timed knee in the second round of their bout at UFC Fight Night 93 in Hamburg, Germany.
Bader's strike landed with such force that Latifi went stiff before he hit the canvas.
What a knee by @RyanBader 💥💥 #UFCHamburg pic.twitter.com/xPHps93XBT
— Farah Hannoun (@Farah_Hannoun) September 3, 2016
OH MY @RYANBADER!!!!!! #UFCHamburg https://t.co/KxlGUsZt3s
— #UFCHamburg (@ufc) September 3, 2016
With his 14th UFC win, Bader breaks a tie with Chuck Liddell and Rashad Evans for sole possession of the second-most wins in light heavyweight division history, trailing only Jon Jones (16). Bader has now won six of his past seven bouts.
Bader showed his smarts in Round 1. He refused to be drawn into a slugfest, deflecting Latifi's hardest shots and shrugging off his takedown attempts. The round came to an exciting end when Latifi ducked in and found Bader's chin with a lunging left hand.
OHHHH @LatifiMMA catches @RyanBader but Bader recovers! Fun first round! #UFCHamburg https://t.co/pVXPq5bJhI
— #UFCHamburg (@ufc) September 3, 2016
That was the last good shot Latifi would get. His strategy in the second round remained the same and Bader made him pay for his single-mindedness. Latifi once again came in low, giving Bader the opportunity to land the devastating knee that put a stop to the action at the 2:06 mark of Round 2.
Latifi's three-fight win streak was snapped. It is the second time he has been knocked out in the UFC.
