Throughout the interesting year of 2009, fight fans were treated to surprises, letdowns, and everything in between. With some questions answered over the course of the year and many new ones posed, fight fans look forward to the new year and the new decade to see what the future has in store for this rapidly expanding sport.
Thinking back over the past year, fans recall seeing Tito Ortiz return to the Octagon after mending what seemed to be bridges charred beyond repair after a lengthy dispute with UFC president Dana White.
The Sport watched in awe as B.J. Penn rebounded as one of the most dominant fighters in the world after a devastating loss at the hands of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre.
Fedor Emelianenko showed the world that the beat of his own drum truly guided his legacy as he turned his back on the UFC and signed with rival promoter Strikeforce. Fedor made his prime time network television debut on CBS in 2009, knocking out Brett Rogers in the second round of the main event.
The previously mentioned aspects of a year gone by are really only the tip of the iceberg. Now looking forward to 2010, fight fans can really see a world of potential in the months to come as various story lines unfold.
Fighter To Watch – Jose Aldo
One of the more exciting aspects to the coming year is the progress of fighters who have begun to stand out in the crowd. With fighters like Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza commanding attention at his Strikeforce debut, or Dan Hardy positioning himself for a fight with GSP, it is obvious that there are many fighters demanding their due.
One fighter that really stood out is WEC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. Aldo brings with him to the end of this fight year a momentum that will carry him well into next year. Aldo found a way to solve the puzzle of former Champ Mike Brown at WEC 44, after pummeling his way to the 145-pound title bout. In a no doubt victory, Aldo showed the world of MMA what they are constantly craving, a finisher with tools to stop any fighter, no matter how game.
Aldo has finished his last six fights early, the most recent for the title. With Urijah Faber dead set on returning the title of champion to his name, and Mike Brown obviously still very much in the mix, Aldo should have his hands full in 2010.
The potential of this young fighter skyrocketing and perhaps earning a pound for pound credential after a year of holding this title against such challengers would be highly increased. In the coming year the sky is the limit for young Aldo, and he has the tools to exceed even that. Do not blink when this man takes the stage.
Feud to Watch – BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre
Bad blood is always something a fight fan should keep their eye on. The running feuds and dilemmas in the sport are many, but few have the heat to really turn the sport on its head and divide a community like one certain duo.
One year ago to date, chat rooms were riddled with the lunacy and tantrums of those anticipating a coming match between two of the best fighters the sport has ever known.
When B.J. Penn gets to butting heads with Georges St. Pierre, people get interested. Regardless of which side a fight fan is on, nothing could be better for the sport. 2009 opened with a highly anticipated rematch between the two champions. St. Pierre made a statement at Penn’s expense one again in a dominant victory at UFC 94.
Now not one year later, Penn has re-established himself as a top pound for pound fighter. Now one year later, Penn and his camp are nudging St. Pierre and attempting to fan flames of what is already a very nasty case of bad blood.
No one can be certain of what the future may bring, and fans can’t forget the re-introduction of old friends Chuck Lidell and Tito Ortiz. With that said, of all the potential rivalry flair-ups that may come over the next year, Penn and St. Pierre is the one that would prove the most explosive. The rumblings in the community are already gaining steam, and the allegations and insinuations have already begun to fly.
Neither man can seem to find a worthy challenger as it is, and the love is already lost. How long will it take before they find each other locked in a cage together yet again?
Story to Watch- Strikeforce looks to contend with UFC
Of all the potential story lines over the next year, the most compelling one is that of a fight promoter who finds itself standing alone with the 800 pound gorilla in the room. The UFC has always been the brand, the name of the sport. They are that gorilla. The cold scared shivering little chihuahua in the corner is a promoter that refuses to lay down.
Strikeforce is that chihuahua. The thing about these chihuahuas is they don’t seem to know how small they are, and they bare their teeth regardless. With Fedor Emelianenko on board, Strikeforce had a puncher’s chance to make a true name in this sport. They had a chance to hang on by the fingertips and hope he would carry them to the next level. That recipe has been proven ill fated, see Affliction.
Now, with signing fighters like Dan Henderson, and even the highly recognizable Bobby Lashley, Strikeforce is making a statement. They intend to contend. The CBS agreement to air shows live and free on network television is something the UFC has proven incapable of negotiating thus far.
That ability to become the readily available provider of MMA to a community of enthusiasts that wont shell out $45 every month to support the sport may be their ace in the hole.
Strikeforce is positioned quite nicely. They have some old school world class fighters in Emelianenko and Henderson. They have some extremely compelling up and comers like “Jacare” Souza and Gegard Mousasi. Adding to the mix, they have the backing of one of the most recognizable broadcasters in television CBS.
They may have had a puncher’s chance with Fedor alone, but now they might be able to go the distance and leave it in the judges’ hands.
In this case the judges are the fans, and they truly are a fickle bunch.
This past year was a great one in the world of mixed martial arts. How could we forget all that MMA did for us as fans? That being said, 2010 brings with it a wealth of potential to be a very exciting year, on many fronts, in many ways.
The beauty of the sport is shining true, and the fact that excitement within it can be found on so many stages is all the proof the world needs. Mixed martial arts is world class and here to stay. Stay tuned for all the action in store for 2010.
