Ryan Bader vs Ovince Saint Preux FULL UFC FIGHT NIGHT 47 REPLAY VIDEO

It wasn’t a fight that will end up on any year-end “Best of” lists, but Ryan Bader’s five-round unanimous decision win over Ovince Saint Preux in the main event of the UFC’s first visit to the state of Maine Saturday night at the Cross Insurance Center might just be the one that pushes Bader over the hump in a career in which he’s previously fallen short in the big fights.

“It was a tough fight, really tough,” Bader, winner of three straight, said. “I had to rely on my takedowns at the end.” Scores were 48-47, and 49-46 twice.

WATCH Ryan Bader vs Ovince Saint Preux FULL FIGHT REPLAY VIDEO BELOW:

Before the first minute of the fight was over, Bader had put Saint Preux on the deck and was working from side control. OSP worked hard to escape, making it back to his feet with three minutes left. A thudding kick followed to let Bader know that he was ready to go, but a wild swing moments later was met by a hard counter from the Arizonan, who ended the round with another takedown.

Saint Preux tried to time Bader’s rushes in round two, but his shots were just missing the sweet spot. He was staying busier though, putting Bader in the role of counterpuncher when not looking for a takedown. And with Saint Preux’ takedown defense holding up until a late flooring by Bader, he had a solid round.

Bader got aggressive again in round three, with a takedown against the fence in the second minute serving him well. Midway through the round, Saint Preux got up, but he was slammed back to the mat, not to rise again until the final minute, and even then, Bader stayed locked on, only to release his grip at the horn.

Entering the fourth round for the first time in his career, Saint Preux got off a nice 1-2 on Bader early in the frame, but he wasn’t being active enough to change the course of the fight, and Bader’s takedowns – or at least the threat of them – kept the former Ultimate Fighter winner ahead. 

Turning the tables briefly in the final round with a takedown of his own, Saint Preux was showing that he hadn’t thrown in the towel, but after the two rose, it was Bader with a throw to the mat that let the Knoxville product that he wasn’t going to let this fight go south on him. And despite getting bloodied in that final frame, for Bader it was a small price to pay for the victory.

With the win, Bader ups his record to 19-4; Saint Preux, who saw a five-fight winning streak snapped, falls to 16-6.

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