Frankie Edgar: Top 10 Threats to Edgar’s UFC Lightweight Title in 2012

Frankie Edgar, the ultimate UFC underdog, went from a lamb to B.J. Penn’s slaughter, to fluke Lightweight Champion, to undisputed title holder. Though that road saw him face off against a bevy of tough opponents, the lightweight kingpin has seen but th…

Frankie Edgar, the ultimate UFC underdog, went from a lamb to B.J. Penn’s slaughter, to fluke Lightweight Champion, to undisputed title holder. Though that road saw him face off against a bevy of tough opponents, the lightweight kingpin has seen but the tip of the division’s iceberg.

Edgar will face Ben Henderson this Saturday, in Japan, and, though the immediacy and difficulty of the challenge ahead warrants Edgar’s full attention, “Smooth” is but one of many lightweights that will be vying for Edgar’s crown before the end of the calendar year.

The following is a list of the top 10 threats Edgar may have to deal with before 2013.

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Kimbo Slice and the Biggest Flameouts in MMA History

Every now and again a special talent comes along in MMA. Sometimes it’s a NCAA National Champion Wrestler. Sometimes it’s a journeyman finally getting his chance to shine after years of toiling in obscurity. Sometimes he comes from our o…

Every now and again a special talent comes along in MMA. Sometimes it’s a NCAA National Champion Wrestler. Sometimes it’s a journeyman finally getting his chance to shine after years of toiling in obscurity. Sometimes he comes from our own backyard. Sometimes he comes from halfway around the globe. Sometimes he displays remarkable heart and fortitude. Sometimes he exhibits unparalleled skill and ability.

Regardless of nationality, skill set or story, some fighters capture our attention and demand our respect and admiration. These are the fighters that carve out names for themselves among the pantheon of combat sports’ greatest warriors.

And then there are those fighters that come along and convince the world that they are destined for such greatness, only to crash and burn in spectacular fashion.

This article is dedicated to the latter group—those who began their MMA career with exceptional hype and fanfare, those who shocked the world once, but could never reach that level again, and those who made us scratch our heads and wonder why we ever accepted them as legitimate mixed martial artists in the first place.

They shall be honored here.

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Anderson Silva: Top 10 Threats to Silva’s UFC Middleweight Title in 2012

UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, is slated to defend his crown for an unprecedented 12th  time this June in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Silva’s opponent, Chael Sonnen, will seek to exact revenge on the “Spider,” who defeated the No. 1 conten…

UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva, is slated to defend his crown for an unprecedented 12th  time this June in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Silva’s opponent, Chael Sonnen, will seek to exact revenge on the “Spider,” who defeated the No. 1 contender back in 2010.

Sonnen’s second run at the middleweight strap is well deserved and will be one of the most intriguing rematches the UFC has ever put on. That said, this rematch does not signify any sort of stagnation in the middleweight division. On the contrary, the 185-pound class is swarming with eager contenders that are forming a line behind Mr. Sonnen.

While Silva is concentrated on disposing of Sonnen for a second time this spring, the challenger is just one of 10 guys who will be vying for his belt before New Year’s Day.

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Junior Dos Santos: Top 10 Threats to Dos Santos’ UFC Heavyweight Title in 2012

UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos will square off with striking juggernaut Alistair Overeem later this year. While the immediacy of the contest ushers Overeem to the precipice of MMA glory, the Dutchman is not the only combatant Dos Santos wil…

UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos will square off with striking juggernaut Alistair Overeem later this year. While the immediacy of the contest ushers Overeem to the precipice of MMA glory, the Dutchman is not the only combatant Dos Santos will have to be wary of in 2012.

The UFC heavyweight division, once thought of as the organization’s weakest link, is brimming with an influx of talent lent by 2009’s heavyweight edition The Ultimate Fighter, the acquisition of top Strikeforce talent and the development of several young big men.

Though Dos Santos is widely regarded as the best fighter on the globe over 205 pounds, the heavyweight waters contain some seriously hungry sharks. In 2012, Dos Santos will have to look out for these 10 fighters in particular. 

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