SUG 19: Ryan Bader defeated Rumble Johnson easily with just 72 hours’ notice

Ryan Bader defeated Rumble Johnson easily with just 72 hours’ notice.

Ryan Bader came out strong looking for the neck of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and absolutely manhandled him through much of the five minute regulation time. With a minute remaining in regulation Bader looked to have Johnson in an armbar but Johnson was able to escape the sub attempt and force the pair into overtime.

Bader won the coin toss and deferred to Johnson to pick the position for the overtime set. Bader was able to escape the first round within seconds. Johnson was able to escape his turn as well but seemingly took longer than Bader.

In the second overtime, Bader escaped even quicker and Johnson was unable to escape the hold as quickly putting Bader ahead on escape time going into the third overtime round.

Third overtime went as smoothly as the first two for Bader and he won handily.

Could we see a Ryan Bader vs. Anthony Johnson rematch in Bellator?

Bader, who currently holds the Bellator heavyweight title, came in to face Johnson after Johnson’s opponent fell ill on just 72 hours’ notice. Bader’s last MMA appearance was at Bellator 244 where he lost his light-heavyweight title to Vadim Nemkov.

Johnson was originally slated to face Curtis Blaydes and then Fabrício Werdum before finally settling on Bader. Johnson has been working the grappling circuit since leaving the UFC and had faced huge names like Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and Hector Lombard at Quintet Ultra as well as Craig Jones at Submission Underground 9.

Both fighters are currently signed on the Bellator roster so perhaps will get to see a match in the Bellator cage at some point.

Submission Underground 19 took place on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, live from a secret location in Oregon. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your results and highlights.