Ryan Bader (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Ryan Bader has stumbled in his quest to become one of the UFC’s top light-heavyweight contenders before, but the former TUF winner says that’s not going to happen this weekend, when he battles Phil Davis.

Since Bader went on to win the Eigth Season of “TUF” back in 2008, the powerful wrestler has posted an impressive 11-4 record. But, due to losses against the likes of Lyoto Machida, Tito Ortiz, Glover Teixeira and Jon Jones, Bader has failed to lock up a position at the very top of the division.

Recently the Arizona fighter spoke to UFC.com about his Saturday’s bout with Davis, and what’s riding on the fight, considering the latter is currently ranked #5. Here is some of what the 31 year-old Bader had to say:

“He (Davis) has been out there for a while, and I can’t believe we haven’t fought yet,” Bader said. “We have similar styles, we’ve fought a lot of the same people, but now it’s finally here. He’s top five, I’m number seven right now, so we’re closely ranked and this is the next fight that can get me where I want to be, which is to be talked about as a legitimate contender, and then go from there. I need to go out there, look good and beat him.

“My last couple fights, I was fighting guys that are around the top ten and beating them, and I said I need to beat these guys I’ve been losing to, these top five guys,” he continues. “And here it is. Here’s another chance that I have to prove that I belong with the top of the top. I’ve lost those key matches before and it’s not gonna happen this time.”

Bader (18-4) is currently riding a three fight win streak heading into the January 24th card, while Davis (13-2) is coming off a decision win over Glover Teixeira, after he was defeated by Anthony Johnson.

UFC on FOX 14 will be hosted by the Tele2Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.