UFC on Fox 4 Results: Lyoto Machida lays claim to title shot by knocking out Ryan Bader

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Lyoto Machida staked his claim to another shot at the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday night, knocking Ryan Bader out in the second round at UFC on Fox 4 in Los Angeles.

The outcome was never really in doubt for Machida, as he had Bader flustered and out-classed in the striking game from the outset. Bader wanted to attack with his power strikes, and looked to rush in multiple times with short punches, but he found himself getting tagged by counter strikes left and right from Machida.

The former Light Heavyweight Champion also added in several quick body strikes, and as he got more and more comfortable throughout the fight, he was adding in some taunting hand movement and keeping Bader uncomfortable.

Finally, as had been happening all fight, Bader rushed in again a minute into the second round. This time, he ran full force into a counter right that cracked him in the jaw and knocked him out cold. One more strike on the ground officially brought and end to the proceedings, and Bader's hopes of moving into the elite of the division.

Though he's just 3-3 in his last six fights, Machida may yet be getting a shot at the winner of the Jon Jones-Dan Henderson title bout at UFC 151 next month.

[Lyoto Machida art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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