UFC champions have never been so dominant, but this could all change in 2013.
Every reigning champ has a tough road ahead in the coming year, and some aren’t even finished with this year yet.
Benson Henderson, Demetrious Johnson and Ronda Rousey were the newly-crowned champions in 2012.
Henderson defeated Frankie Edgar for the lightweight title in February. Since winning the title, he has put forth two successful title defenses against Edgar in a rematch and Nate Diaz at UFC on FOX 5.
Demetrious Johnson made history at UFC 152 by becoming the inaugural UFC flyweight champ. Wins over Ian McCall and Joseph Benavidez propelled him towards fulfilling a lifetime dream of becoming a world champion.
At the UFC on FOX 5 press conference, Rousey also made history after being named the first women’s UFC champion. She is expected to debut in the pay-per-view headliner for UFC 157 in February 2013.
People are captivated by the unpredictable nature of MMA. Any fighter can be defeated on any given night. It only takes one mistake for a champion to fall, and a hungry contender to take his or her place.
Will the current champs remain dominant in 2013, or could an unexpected contender emerge and upset the balance of power?