Let me start this post by saying, if you are a super casual MMA fan, or even if you have not watched any UFC events, but are at least open to combat sports (maybe you watched boxing once upon a time or people punching each other doesn't seem too hard to stomach), please get yourself somewhere to watch the upcoming UFC 182 event on January 3.
This is the epitome of what UFC is about. Two top athletes going into The Octagon to lay it all on the line against each other. Then afterwards, they might even be cordial to one another. Jon Jones, the best fighter on the planet is going up against Olympic wrestler-turned-undefeated MMA fighter Daniel Cormier. The fight should be epic. The build up has been incredible. The trash talk has been unparalleled.
Get yourself to a bar, a friend's house, whatever to watch this Pay-Per-View event to see if MMA is all it's hyped to be. Here's a sneak preview of what's in store:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uq8WBN7YDY [/youtube]
The PPV begins at 10PM Eastern, and the main event should commence around midnight.
That being said, let's take a look at what's in store for 2015 in MMA:
Despite the now-massive UFC roster (over 500 fighters!), there is still some talent outside the undisputed top promotion in MMA:
Up-and-coming Douglas Lima (Welterweight) fights for the Bellator Welterweight Championship in February at Bellator 134. This is a free event on SpikeTV on February 27. The 27-year-old has been absolutely on fire with vicious finishes in 10 of his last 11 victories. His only loss in the last 5+ years is at the hands of...
Ben Askren, the ONE FC Welterweight Champion who has had a number of verbal spats with UFC boss Dana White. Askren is undefeated (14-0), but has been outspoken about his contentedness of fighting outside of the UFC and still making some coin. For fight fans everywhere, let's hope they can eventually hash something out. The undefeated 170-pounder is probably one of the top 5 fighters at his weight class and is in his prime.
Over in WSOF, Rousimar Palhares finished former UFC No. 1 Contender Jon Fitch with an impressive kneebar. Everyone knows what's coming with Palhares (leg submission specialist), but it's still incredibly difficult to stop it. It will be hard for him to get back in the UFC given his tumultuous history of unsporting behavior, but if he keeps performing at a high level, we know there's no such thing as a bridge too far when it comes to the UFC because, well, money talks.
Justin Gaethje just turned 26 and defended his WSOF Lightweight belt for a second time against UFC vet Melvin Guillard. Gaethje was relatively untested before his latest scrap. The future is uncertain but bright for the undefeated fighter. We should see him in the UFC eventually.
Also in the WSOF, Nick Newell is a fighter who has garnered a lot of attention not just because of his impressive record, but for the fact that he fights with only one arm. He was born with a left arm that ends at his elbow. He may not be a UFC prospect, but he is must-see TV for inspirational aspects, and he did get a shot at the WSOF Lightweight title vs. Gaethje. I'm still astounded every time I watch him.
Cris "Cyborg" Justino has fought in the women's 145-lb division, and has yet to meet her match. She does have a checkered history as she has struggled with weight issues and a positive test for steroids. There were considerable rumors of her dropping to 135 lbs to fight Ronda Rousey in a superfight for the ages, but talk of that has fizzled recently, as Cyborg has been on the shelf for over a year.
I don't follow the lower classes as well, so maybe someone can speak better to those. On to the UFC.
The UFC held a record 46 events in 2014. It's been an absolute chore to keep track of it all. I consider myself a fairly hardcore fan, but the roster is so watered down at this point, I can't even begin to try to watch every event, let alone some of the crappy undercard fights. 2015 is kicking off with some really great fights off the heels of an exciting end to 2014, so this keeps me optimistic.
2014 saw the introduction of the women's strawweight division (115 lbs), with Carla Esparza defeating the athletic Rose Namajunas at the culmination of The Ultimate Fighter 20. Some good fights should emerge in this division, as it is quite deep. The personalities of the ladies at 115 should add to the intrigue.
The UFC has 45 events scheduled for 2015, including 13 PPVs. Things kick off with the aforementioned Jones-Cormier at UFC 182 on January 3. Another key fight to watch on the card is Donald Cerrone vs Myles Jury. I think Jury is a future champion in the stacked lightweight division.
Rising star (already star?) Conor McGregor fights at the TD Garden on January 18. His fights are must-see TV. He's one of those guys that backs up all his trash talk with impressive fights. He's one to watch. He's already won the hearts of his native Ireland, and is a polarizing figure in the States whose stock is going nowhere but up. He should challenge Jose Aldo for the featherweight title soon.
I won't mention every intriguing fight in this post, but Anderson Silva, the greatest UFC fighter in history returns from a devestating leg injury to fight the hated Nick Diaz, who always entertains. This is another one to watch at the end of January (UFC 183). Light Heavyweight Chris Weidman and Women's Bantamweight Ronda Rousey defends their titles in February at the Staples center at UFC 184.
The UFC will also be the home of CM Punk's MMA Debut (of WWE fame). That should get some casual fans who watch pro wrestling to tune in. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will also be returning to the UFC this coming year. He's an exciting fighter.
Here's a layman's rankings of the men's divisions based on relative strength:
8. Flyweight (Demetrious Johnson is king.)
7. Bantamweight (no real interesting fights outside Faber-Dillashaw since Cruz got hurt again.)
6. Featherweight (Jose Aldo is a beast, Frankie Edgar is always exciting, McGregor and Swanson have championship potential.)
5. Middleweight (This division has never been that stacked, but with Weidman and Silva, it doesn't need to be to excite me.)
4. Heavyweight (Cain is truly class, but the heavyweight division still has lots of exciting potential matchups. Plus, who doesn't like to see guys punch REALLY hard?)
3. Light Heavyweight (the division is very top-heavy, but the guys at the top are extremely exciting: Jones, Cormier, Gustafsson, Johnson, Evans, Davis, Teixeira.)
2. Lightweight (Pettis, Nurmagomedov, dos Anjos, Jury, Melendez, Barboza, Thompson, Cerrone, Green, Alvarez, Nate Diaz, yowzahs!)
1. Welterweight (I think any of the top 8 could beat the other on any given day. That is incredible. Let's hope the UFC makes the right fights.)
2015 should be a great one for MMA. Here's to the new year and here's to Georges St. Pierre making a comeback from retirement!
This is the epitome of what UFC is about. Two top athletes going into The Octagon to lay it all on the line against each other. Then afterwards, they might even be cordial to one another. Jon Jones, the best fighter on the planet is going up against Olympic wrestler-turned-undefeated MMA fighter Daniel Cormier. The fight should be epic. The build up has been incredible. The trash talk has been unparalleled.
Get yourself to a bar, a friend's house, whatever to watch this Pay-Per-View event to see if MMA is all it's hyped to be. Here's a sneak preview of what's in store:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uq8WBN7YDY [/youtube]
The PPV begins at 10PM Eastern, and the main event should commence around midnight.
That being said, let's take a look at what's in store for 2015 in MMA:
Despite the now-massive UFC roster (over 500 fighters!), there is still some talent outside the undisputed top promotion in MMA:
Up-and-coming Douglas Lima (Welterweight) fights for the Bellator Welterweight Championship in February at Bellator 134. This is a free event on SpikeTV on February 27. The 27-year-old has been absolutely on fire with vicious finishes in 10 of his last 11 victories. His only loss in the last 5+ years is at the hands of...
Ben Askren, the ONE FC Welterweight Champion who has had a number of verbal spats with UFC boss Dana White. Askren is undefeated (14-0), but has been outspoken about his contentedness of fighting outside of the UFC and still making some coin. For fight fans everywhere, let's hope they can eventually hash something out. The undefeated 170-pounder is probably one of the top 5 fighters at his weight class and is in his prime.
Over in WSOF, Rousimar Palhares finished former UFC No. 1 Contender Jon Fitch with an impressive kneebar. Everyone knows what's coming with Palhares (leg submission specialist), but it's still incredibly difficult to stop it. It will be hard for him to get back in the UFC given his tumultuous history of unsporting behavior, but if he keeps performing at a high level, we know there's no such thing as a bridge too far when it comes to the UFC because, well, money talks.
Justin Gaethje just turned 26 and defended his WSOF Lightweight belt for a second time against UFC vet Melvin Guillard. Gaethje was relatively untested before his latest scrap. The future is uncertain but bright for the undefeated fighter. We should see him in the UFC eventually.
Also in the WSOF, Nick Newell is a fighter who has garnered a lot of attention not just because of his impressive record, but for the fact that he fights with only one arm. He was born with a left arm that ends at his elbow. He may not be a UFC prospect, but he is must-see TV for inspirational aspects, and he did get a shot at the WSOF Lightweight title vs. Gaethje. I'm still astounded every time I watch him.
Cris "Cyborg" Justino has fought in the women's 145-lb division, and has yet to meet her match. She does have a checkered history as she has struggled with weight issues and a positive test for steroids. There were considerable rumors of her dropping to 135 lbs to fight Ronda Rousey in a superfight for the ages, but talk of that has fizzled recently, as Cyborg has been on the shelf for over a year.
I don't follow the lower classes as well, so maybe someone can speak better to those. On to the UFC.
The UFC held a record 46 events in 2014. It's been an absolute chore to keep track of it all. I consider myself a fairly hardcore fan, but the roster is so watered down at this point, I can't even begin to try to watch every event, let alone some of the crappy undercard fights. 2015 is kicking off with some really great fights off the heels of an exciting end to 2014, so this keeps me optimistic.
2014 saw the introduction of the women's strawweight division (115 lbs), with Carla Esparza defeating the athletic Rose Namajunas at the culmination of The Ultimate Fighter 20. Some good fights should emerge in this division, as it is quite deep. The personalities of the ladies at 115 should add to the intrigue.
The UFC has 45 events scheduled for 2015, including 13 PPVs. Things kick off with the aforementioned Jones-Cormier at UFC 182 on January 3. Another key fight to watch on the card is Donald Cerrone vs Myles Jury. I think Jury is a future champion in the stacked lightweight division.
Rising star (already star?) Conor McGregor fights at the TD Garden on January 18. His fights are must-see TV. He's one of those guys that backs up all his trash talk with impressive fights. He's one to watch. He's already won the hearts of his native Ireland, and is a polarizing figure in the States whose stock is going nowhere but up. He should challenge Jose Aldo for the featherweight title soon.
I won't mention every intriguing fight in this post, but Anderson Silva, the greatest UFC fighter in history returns from a devestating leg injury to fight the hated Nick Diaz, who always entertains. This is another one to watch at the end of January (UFC 183). Light Heavyweight Chris Weidman and Women's Bantamweight Ronda Rousey defends their titles in February at the Staples center at UFC 184.
The UFC will also be the home of CM Punk's MMA Debut (of WWE fame). That should get some casual fans who watch pro wrestling to tune in. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will also be returning to the UFC this coming year. He's an exciting fighter.
Here's a layman's rankings of the men's divisions based on relative strength:
8. Flyweight (Demetrious Johnson is king.)
7. Bantamweight (no real interesting fights outside Faber-Dillashaw since Cruz got hurt again.)
6. Featherweight (Jose Aldo is a beast, Frankie Edgar is always exciting, McGregor and Swanson have championship potential.)
5. Middleweight (This division has never been that stacked, but with Weidman and Silva, it doesn't need to be to excite me.)
4. Heavyweight (Cain is truly class, but the heavyweight division still has lots of exciting potential matchups. Plus, who doesn't like to see guys punch REALLY hard?)
3. Light Heavyweight (the division is very top-heavy, but the guys at the top are extremely exciting: Jones, Cormier, Gustafsson, Johnson, Evans, Davis, Teixeira.)
2. Lightweight (Pettis, Nurmagomedov, dos Anjos, Jury, Melendez, Barboza, Thompson, Cerrone, Green, Alvarez, Nate Diaz, yowzahs!)
1. Welterweight (I think any of the top 8 could beat the other on any given day. That is incredible. Let's hope the UFC makes the right fights.)
2015 should be a great one for MMA. Here's to the new year and here's to Georges St. Pierre making a comeback from retirement!
