MMAOddsBreaker’s Frank Trigg speaks with Legacy FC 41 bantamweight Justin Rader about his upcoming co-main event bout tonight (Friday, April 3, 2015) against Ricardo Lucas Ramos at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The native Oklahoman might not have as many fights as his upcoming opponent, but he’s definitely done his due diligence in preparation for the huge match-up tonight:
“I was really excited to take this fight. This is a big step up for me. Most of my opponents I’d been fighting had been 0-0 or 1-0 soI was looking for a step up. In fact, I told my coaches Mark Beecher and Rafael Lovato Jr that I felt good in there, comfortable in there and I was looking for the next step up. The guy I’m fighting (Ricardo Ramos) is 6-0. From what I’ve seen, he’s very well-rounded. He’s not afraid to stand in there and bang a little bit. He will work for takedowns. I’m definitely having to be sharp there with my takedown defense as well as my takedown offense. And he’s a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. I think when they sent me the match, they asked it mattered if he was a BJJ black belt and I said absolutely not. I’m a BJJ black belt as well. It does speak for how well-rounded he actually is. I know he’s been fighting some Muay Thai fights as well so I know his stand-up is improving, but I feel I’m ready for the challenge. I just feel like I’m a stronger fighter. I’m coming down a weight class so I feel my weight cut is going great. I feel like I’m gonna be bigger and stronger and I feel like my wrestling is going to be a bit stronger than his and that’s going to be the X-Factor.”