Ryan Bader overpowered Antonio Rogerio Nogueira from just about every which way Saturday evening at UFC Fight Night 100 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Bader used footwork, wrestling, takedowns and ground-and-pound to wear down Nogueira. Referee Mario Yamasaki was forced to call the bout at 3:51 of the third round.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
There was no Fight-of-the-Night bonus awarded, but Thomas Almeida, Cezar Ferreira, Gadzhimurad Antigulov, and Pedro Munhoz all earned $50,000 USD performance bonuses.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims.
DARREN STEWART DEF FRANCIMAR BARROSO VIA TKO R1 1:34
PEDRO MUNHOZ DEF JUSTIN SCOGGINS VIA SUBMISSION R2 1:55
LUIS HENRIQUE VS CHRISTIAN COLOMBO R3 2:12
JOHNNY EDUARDO DEF MANVEL GAMBURYAN VIA TKO R2 0:46
GADZHIMURAD ANTIGULOV DEF MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA VIA SUBMISSION R1 1:07
CEZAR DEF JACK HERMANSSON VIA SUBMISSION R2 2:11
TSN 5 MAIN CARD
SERGIO MORAES VS ZAK OTTOW
WINNER: SERGIO MORAES VIA SPLIT-DECISION (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SERGIO MORAES VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Moraes connected early then gassed and survived an Otto comeback. Hard luck for Otto, but losing that first round was critical on the road.
WARLLEY ALVES VS KAMARU USMAN
WINNER: KAMARU USMAN VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (29-27, 30-26, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KAMARU USMAN VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Usman wore down Alves with his wrestling, attitude and yes, striking. Great win for the Nigerian Nightmare!
#11 THALES LEITES VS #15 KRZYSZTOF JOTKO
WINNER: KRZYSZTOF JOTKO VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (29-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION:THALES LEITES VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Jotko as the younger fighter wore down Leites and just outworked the Brazilian in the second and third rounds. Great win for the youngster.
#1 CLAUDIA GADELHA VS CORTNEY CASEY
WINNER: CLAUDIA GADELHA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CLAUDIA GADELHA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Gadelha used her wrestling and takedowns to pie up the points but she almost threw away the fight with that kick to a downed Casey.
#11 THOMAS ALMEDIA VS ALBERT MORALES
WINNER: THOMAS ALMEDIA VIA TKO R2 1:37
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALBERT MORALES VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Almedia was just too much for Morales. He obviously learned from the Garbrandt fight. Great win.
MAIN EVENT
RYAN BADER VS ANTONIO ROGERIO NOGUEIRA
WINNER: RYAN BADER VIA TKO R3 3:51
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RYAN BADER VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Bader was three steps ahead of Nogueira tonight. He used a variety of tools and it just might be time for Lil’ Nog to hang ’em up as he looked defenceless.