By Jake Cormany, Sun Devil media relations student assistant
TEMPE, Ariz. – The wrestling program at Arizona State University has produced some of the "best of the best" in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world, one of which is current Bellator Light Heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader. The Reno, Nev. native had a choice to make coming out of high school – he was the number four wrestler in the country but also a very good football player.
"I came down to ASU on a recruiting trip and I loved the weather and the campus," said Bader. "I just loved the vibe and the program here, and I knew where I wanted to go just after a day of being here."
Ryan did not disappoint when he got to Tempe that next year. During his time at Arizona State he was a three-time Pac-10 Champion, winning in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Bader was also a two-time All-American.
As of 2014, ASU has produced 12 current or former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters, more than any other university in the country. Ryan Bader has taken what he learned at his time at ASU and used it to turn into one of the top Light Heavyweight fighters in the world.
He has a total MMA record of 23-5, and started his fighting career 12-0. Several of his 23 wins have come over some of the top fighters of the past decade including Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans and Phil Davis. He has also fought against some of the best that the sport has ever seen like Tito Ortiz and Lyoto Machida.
Bader, though, has not forgotten his roots at Arizona State, and is thankful for all the university did for him.
"ASU wrestling did more than just help me in my career, it was really everything," Ryan said. "It helped me learn to get a desired result by putting in the work. All the training just really transferred well over to the UFC."
Starting in 2010, Bader did not just have his fighting family on his side, getting married to his wife Daisy in October. They now have three kids of their own and Ryan has more support than ever.
"I love the chaos," Bader said when asked about being a father of three, but still keeping up with his intense training regimen. "You just have to have great people around you in business and in family, and my wife does a great job, allowing me to do what I need to do in training and business."
Ryan Bader just won his Bellator Light Heavyweight belt less than a month ago when he defeated Phil Davis in a split decision on June 24th. He will look to defend his title and move his MMA record to 24-5 when the time comes to fight again.
Even though he is 11 years removed from ASU and has established an amazing Mixed Martial Arts career of his own, the former Sun Devil still lives here in the Valley of the Sun and supports his alma mater's wrestling program.
"I just was there at their big wrestling camp," Bader said. "I spoke to coach Zeke Jones and I spoke to the kids, and they just have everything dialed in," he said when asked about the current Arizona State wrestling program.
"They have the right coaching staff and the right wrestlers, and they are just going to continue to grow. Look for ASU wrestling to be a force within the next couple of years, if not sooner."
TEMPE, Ariz. – The wrestling program at Arizona State University has produced some of the "best of the best" in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world, one of which is current Bellator Light Heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader. The Reno, Nev. native had a choice to make coming out of high school – he was the number four wrestler in the country but also a very good football player.
"I came down to ASU on a recruiting trip and I loved the weather and the campus," said Bader. "I just loved the vibe and the program here, and I knew where I wanted to go just after a day of being here."
Ryan did not disappoint when he got to Tempe that next year. During his time at Arizona State he was a three-time Pac-10 Champion, winning in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Bader was also a two-time All-American.
As of 2014, ASU has produced 12 current or former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters, more than any other university in the country. Ryan Bader has taken what he learned at his time at ASU and used it to turn into one of the top Light Heavyweight fighters in the world.
He has a total MMA record of 23-5, and started his fighting career 12-0. Several of his 23 wins have come over some of the top fighters of the past decade including Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans and Phil Davis. He has also fought against some of the best that the sport has ever seen like Tito Ortiz and Lyoto Machida.
Bader, though, has not forgotten his roots at Arizona State, and is thankful for all the university did for him.
"ASU wrestling did more than just help me in my career, it was really everything," Ryan said. "It helped me learn to get a desired result by putting in the work. All the training just really transferred well over to the UFC."
Grindin with the PAC 10 Champs today @ASUWrestling -----> pic.twitter.com/n63aSPD3K6
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) March 3, 2017
Starting in 2010, Bader did not just have his fighting family on his side, getting married to his wife Daisy in October. They now have three kids of their own and Ryan has more support than ever.
"I love the chaos," Bader said when asked about being a father of three, but still keeping up with his intense training regimen. "You just have to have great people around you in business and in family, and my wife does a great job, allowing me to do what I need to do in training and business."
Ryan Bader just won his Bellator Light Heavyweight belt less than a month ago when he defeated Phil Davis in a split decision on June 24th. He will look to defend his title and move his MMA record to 24-5 when the time comes to fight again.
Toughest sport in the world | fun to speak to these young studs @ASUWrestling camp pic.twitter.com/opHhUv7TBp
— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) June 30, 2017
Even though he is 11 years removed from ASU and has established an amazing Mixed Martial Arts career of his own, the former Sun Devil still lives here in the Valley of the Sun and supports his alma mater's wrestling program.
"I just was there at their big wrestling camp," Bader said. "I spoke to coach Zeke Jones and I spoke to the kids, and they just have everything dialed in," he said when asked about the current Arizona State wrestling program.
"They have the right coaching staff and the right wrestlers, and they are just going to continue to grow. Look for ASU wrestling to be a force within the next couple of years, if not sooner."