Quinton Jackson: “I’ve been in the cage with better wrestlers than Ryan Bader.”

UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader has earned a reputation in MMA as a high-level wrestler with knockout power. Comparably, his adversary at UFC 144 – Quinton Jackson – has made a name for himself in part due to durability as well as the ability to hang with most grapplers.

Whose style stands up best to the other will play out on Saturday night in Japan though if you ask Jackson he’s not necessarily concerned with anything the Ultimate Fighter winner has to offer.

“I’ve been in the cage with better wrestlers than Ryan Bader,” explained Jackson in an extended preview for the event. “I’m a street fighter. I’m a brawler. I just want to put on the best show the world has ever seen.”

Jackson didn’t bite his tongue on the subject of where he feels he stacks up in the 205-pound division either despite a recent loss to champion Jon Jones.

“I ain’t done yet. I still want to show the world that I’m still one of the best. And I feel in my heart I’m still one of the best fighters out there. I’m just gonna go in there and let it all hang out.”

Jackson-Bader will meet in co-headlining action on the card with lightweight title-holder Frankie Edgar putting his gold up for grabs against Benson Henderson in the evening’s main event.

Check out the full preview below:

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

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MMATraining Take: True, Jackson has fought better wrestlers. He’s also lost to a few of them and been out-grappled by guys who don’t have Bader’s amateur success on the mat. Still, I think Jackson should be fine and will pick up either a knockout or decision win.