Power of the Dark Side: Darth Bader Drops Jardine

In the biggest test of his young career, Ryan "Darth" Bader showed why many consider him a future champion in the light heavyweight division, knocking out perennial gatekeeper Keith Jardine in the third round.

Though Jardine stuffed numerous takedown attempts in a close second round, and Bader looked to be slowing down, Jardine's suspect chin was no match for the power of Bader's punches, as a right hand wobbled "The Dean of Mean" before a flying knee connected with his chest and a left hook sent him to the canvas.

This is a big win for the former Ultimate Fighter winner, and what might be even better for Bader is that there is still room to improve. With a tremendous wrestling pedigree and powerful hands, an improved cardio program could help Bader take yet another step up the ladder next time around.

For Jardine, the questions will now come fast and furious.

Does this loss leave him out of a job as divisional gatekeeper or perhaps out of a job entirely? While it's highly unlikely that a fan favorite like "The Dean of Mean" would be given his walking papers, taking a drop down the ladder is almost a certainty.

We may have just found Stephan Bonnar's next opponent.

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