Champ Daniel Cormier: That Bader shot was man afraid to get hit by 'Rumble' Johnson

UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier was deeply critical of Ryan Bader after a quick knockout loss to Anthony Johnson, proclaiming his rival made a terrible strategic choice in Saturday’s UFC on FOX 18 headliner.

“You cannot go into a fist fight with fear,” Cormier said behind the commentator’s table during the FOX event’s post-show coverage on FOX Sports 2. “That shot was a man that was afraid to get hit by ‘Rumble’ Johnson.”

Bader (20-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) was knocked unconscious by Johnson (21-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) at the 1:26 mark of the first round after attempting a takedown, and then banking heavily on a kimura submission while on his back. Johnson resisted the efforts and took mount, forcing Bader to his stomach and exposing him to punches, which rained down until his legs went slack.

The ending brought a quick end to the five-fight winning streak Bader had earned prior to the FOX-televised headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. It also put Johnson back in the title hunt after losing to Cormier via submission this past May at UFC 187.

Cormier, who had words with Bader after his title win, pointed out his comments prior to UFC on FOX 18 that Bader needed to pressure Johnson and make him wrestle, presumably to wear out his opponent and cruise to a decision. What happened instead, he said, was a very shortsighted decision.

“We said that you have to take damage in order to get close to ‘Rumble,’” Cormier said. “You’re not going to be free. You’re going to get hit. You’re going to feel it. You may get knocked down. But to get to him, you have to do it.

“(Johnson) understands wrestling. This guy wrestled in college. You can’t shoot from halfway across the octagon like Randy Couture did against James Toney. The shot, for me, was the end, seeing that. Seeing that panicked of a shot showed me that Ryan Bader could not compete against Anthony Johnson.”

In an interview with the UFC shortly before his transport to an area hospital, Bader admitted it wasn’t his original plan to shoot in for a takedown so early.

“I was originally going to try to stick and move,” he said.

Cormier clarified that Bader’s choice was brought into relief by Johnson’s improvement, which he said has showcased itself during a career resurgence that brought them into the octagon at UFC 187. Cormier prevailed there, but said “Rumble” is still gathering momentum.

“This showed this young man has finally got a team that has taken an interest in him and is helping him, because I know what the situation was in San Jose, (Calif., at American Kickboxing Academy), and it wasn’t ideal. What he has now (at the Florida-based Blackzilians camp) makes him more dangerous every time he steps into the octagon.”

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 18, check out the UFC Events section of the site.