Ryan Bader vs Carmelo Marrero UFC Fight Night 18 fight planned

by MMAmania.com on Jan 12, 2009 10:18 AM EST Comment 13 comments

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 light heavyweight winner Ryan Bader (8-0) will attempt to keep his perfect professional mixed martial arts record intact when he returns to action against Carmelo Marrero (10-2) at UFC Fight Night 18 in Nashville, Tenn., on April 1, according to FiveOuncesOfPain.com.

"Darth" Bader -- who is an accomplished collegiate wrestler from Arizona State University (ASU) -- showed his punching power in the TUF 8 Finale, finishing Vinicius Magalhães with his fists to capture the 205-pound season crown.

The Arizona Combat Sports product took out Kyle Kingsbury, Tom Lawlor and Eliot Marshall en route to the finals.

Bader has only gone the distance once in his career, demonstrating a nice mix of submission and (technical) knockout wins since his start back in 2007. Marrero, however, may prove to be a little more difficult to stop.

"The Fury" is a three-fight UFC veteran who used his wrestling skills and takedowns to upset Cheick Kongo via split decision UFC 64: "Unstoppable" in his Octagon debut back in 2006. The victory, however, was short lived. He went on to lose his next two bouts against Gabriel Gonzaga and Wilson Gouveia, which of course featured a drop from heavyweight to light heavyweight.

Marrero would have much better luck outside the Octagon when he was released after the submission loss to Gouveia, compiling a solid record with zero defeats (4-0) and one "No Contest." He most recently eked out a split decision win over Steve Steinbeiss at WEC 36: "Faber vs. Brown" in November 2008.

UFC Fight Night 18 will serve as the lead-in to The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 on Spike TV. The event has yet to be announced or made official; however, several bouts are also rumored for the show, including a match up between TUF 8 lightweight winner Efrain Escuedero taking on Jeremy Stephens and Ricardo Almeida challenging Matt Horwich.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more announcements and news surrounding UFC Fight Night 18.

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Darth Bader..a light heavy version of the Muscle shark..lets hope he keeps it up

by Anonymousf*ck on Jan 12, 2009 10:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn’t start calling him the LHW Sherk yet. He just KOed a guy standing. Sherk hasn’t done that yet, or came close.

Ryan “The Master” Bader was my pick to win the Season, and aside from the Marshall fight, he hasn’t really disappointed. At first glance, it seems like Baders got this, but Marrero defeated Kongo as a heavyweight, and now a LHW? Granted Kongo kinda sucked at the time, but still.

I’d say Bader but I don’t know how the finish. Probably a decision.

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 12, 2009 10:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. Bader is probably going to win this fight via decision!

Im from Philly and I like to get behind our local fighters, but Carmello is just too boring for me to root for. I cant stand the guy….all he has ever done was bored the crap out of me. I have also seen him train, and trust me when I tell you….NOTHING Special!

by john on Jan 12, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So they give him this Marrero guy…you kidding…why not a normal challenging fight..He beat Kongo in one the most boring fights ever and Kongo back then was identicle to how houstan alexander is minus the expolsivness. Get him on the ground and you win. It was a boring fight to wathc..

by What? on Jan 12, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

no man your way off… melo’s the better wrestler and better jits. his last 5 fights are 4 wins and 1 NC. When he fought vinny everyone knew vinny wanted it to the ground. this fight will come down to who has petter standup and ground and pound. correct me if im wrong but i think marrero has him there.

by patrick on Jan 12, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

thats sort of what im thinking. but Marrero will either be a pushover, or a very tough fight for Bader. I’m not saying Marrero is something special, but I think he will test Bader early, and make him work for his first win over a vet.

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 12, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good fight for Bader! Marrero’s two losses are to credible opponents.

by Dana's a Crossdresser on Jan 12, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

good fight. I think this will show Bader’s wrestling and stand up. Good first fight.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Jan 12, 2009 10:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

what I really like is the fact that Dana white isnt babying his TUF fighters as much anymore. tHink about it efrain has to fight lil Heathen in his 1st post tuf UFC fight. Junie has a very stiff test in Cole miller and Bader is fighting Carmello…..these are some tuf tests for the new TUF fighters.

its much better then previous years when forrest was fighting Bil Mahood and Jardine was fighting that Fat dude.

by john on Jan 12, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs