Ryan Bader: Alexander Gustafsson Doesn't Deserve Title Shot, Isn't as Dangerous

Ryan Bader was passed over for a crack at Daniel Cormier's UFC light heavyweight title in favor of Alexander Gustafsson and, unsurprisingly, it isn't sitting well with him. Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour, he had some pointed words about both competitors and the fight itself.

"I thought I matched up really well with Cormier and [could] give him problems that other people haven't," he said (h/t MMAFighting.com's Marc Raimondi). "I think he can go in there and beat Gus and use his wrestling. I definitely felt that I was the more dangerous fight, for sure."

For those who missed it, Bader has been passed over for title shots twice in the past two months. 

Currently riding a four-fight winning streak, Bader was slated to face Cormier in the main event of UFC Fight Night 68. A win over the former Olympian almost certainly would have sealed up a shot at then-champion Jon Jones but, unfortunately for Bader, an alleged hit-and-run incident resulted in Jones being stripped of the title and suspended indefinitely. Both fighters would be pulled from Fight Night 68, but while Cormier would be rescheduled to face Anthony "Rumble" Johnson at UFC 187 for the vacant light heavyweight championship, Bader would be left to wonder what comes next.

While it briefly seemed like he would still get a shot at Cormier after a dust-up at the UFC 187 post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White told UFC Tonight on Fox Sports 1 on Wednesday that the promotion was, in fact, looking to have Cormier defend his title from Gustafsson. Gustafsson is actually coming off of a first-round knockout loss to Johnson, a fact that doesn't sit well with Bader. "Gus is a great fighter," Bader said, "but he just doesn't deserve that shot right now coming off of a loss like that."

Bader is currently eyeing a fight with former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans in the fall. Evans is currently coming off of back-to-back wins over Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen, but hasn't competed since November 2013 due to knee injuries.

Here's hoping Bader can keep himself busy for the time being.

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