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I've been watching Chael's last few fights, where he dominated Wand and Rampage, and I've seen Bader's last few fights as well. People are talking about Bader like he is just a better version of Chael (which is somewhat true), but it's not that simple.
Chael Sonnen is 41 years old, 6'1, 227lbs and has a 73 inch reach. His striking is actually pretty good these days, especially with the threat of him shooting on you. He was able to do very well on the feet against Rampage and even able his punches (even outweighed by 30lbs+). He also hurt Anderson Silva on the feet. Chael goes 100% and tends to break if he can't get his way. He has very good takedowns. He also has submissions, typically involving chokes. His chin is actually really good, he just caves to being overwhelmed.
His weaknesses tend to be mentally breaking/getting tired when he can't impose his will. He is much worse off his back than he is on top. His punching power isn't great, but he did hurt guys like Anderson and Rampage on the feet.
Ryan Bader is 35 years old, 6'2, 74 inch reach. 229.5lbs. He is basically the same size as Chael, just slightly larger. He has more punching power, but his striking isn't particularity fluid. It feels forced. He uses power to get a takedown and has pretty good control once on the ground. His control is probably a bit overrated right now because of fighting Mitrione, who is terrible on the ground. His chin can be questionable, but at HW it could be much better because of not cutting weight (hard to say since he hasn't even been hit during the tournament). Like Chael, his strikes are more effective than his technique might allow, because of the threat of the takedown. His relative youth and power make him a legit threat at HW.
Bader's past weaknesses have been cracking under pressure in big fights, his chin has been cracked multiple times (at LHW), and he doesn't have nearly as much of a submission threat. His cardio is hard to say because he hasn't had a tough fight at HW (which could just be because he is that good).
Chael Sonnen is 41 years old, 6'1, 227lbs and has a 73 inch reach. His striking is actually pretty good these days, especially with the threat of him shooting on you. He was able to do very well on the feet against Rampage and even able his punches (even outweighed by 30lbs+). He also hurt Anderson Silva on the feet. Chael goes 100% and tends to break if he can't get his way. He has very good takedowns. He also has submissions, typically involving chokes. His chin is actually really good, he just caves to being overwhelmed.
His weaknesses tend to be mentally breaking/getting tired when he can't impose his will. He is much worse off his back than he is on top. His punching power isn't great, but he did hurt guys like Anderson and Rampage on the feet.
Ryan Bader is 35 years old, 6'2, 74 inch reach. 229.5lbs. He is basically the same size as Chael, just slightly larger. He has more punching power, but his striking isn't particularity fluid. It feels forced. He uses power to get a takedown and has pretty good control once on the ground. His control is probably a bit overrated right now because of fighting Mitrione, who is terrible on the ground. His chin can be questionable, but at HW it could be much better because of not cutting weight (hard to say since he hasn't even been hit during the tournament). Like Chael, his strikes are more effective than his technique might allow, because of the threat of the takedown. His relative youth and power make him a legit threat at HW.
Bader's past weaknesses have been cracking under pressure in big fights, his chin has been cracked multiple times (at LHW), and he doesn't have nearly as much of a submission threat. His cardio is hard to say because he hasn't had a tough fight at HW (which could just be because he is that good).