20 Things We Learned from the First Half of 2012

As it is in life, things happen for a reason in mixed martial arts.From historic title defenses to highlight reel knockouts, the sport possess its own way of naturally working things out.So when looking back on the first half of 2012, it’s only natural…

As it is in life, things happen for a reason in mixed martial arts.

From historic title defenses to highlight reel knockouts, the sport possess its own way of naturally working things out.

So when looking back on the first half of 2012, it’s only natural to question the things we have learned.

Here are 20 truths that have self-manifested over the last six months.

   

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Odds That Each Current UFC Champion Will Fall Within the Next Year

UFC champions are carved from the rarest of stones.With cement hands and granite chins, they’ve been able to translate world-class talent into rock-solid Octagon performances.But as it is in geology, fighters are also subject to an eventual period of e…

UFC champions are carved from the rarest of stones.

With cement hands and granite chins, they’ve been able to translate world-class talent into rock-solid Octagon performances.

But as it is in geology, fighters are also subject to an eventual period of erosion and deterioration.

With that said, assuming each current champion defends his title at least once in the next 12 months, here’s the odds they lose their most prized possession.

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20 Reasons MMA Is the Greatest Sport

Mixed martial arts is unlike any other sport in the world.It demands a certain respect from its fans and commands an unmatched ability to combine violence with discipline and loyalty.The sport has reached a magnitude once only dreamed of simply by maki…

Mixed martial arts is unlike any other sport in the world.

It demands a certain respect from its fans and commands an unmatched ability to combine violence with discipline and loyalty.

The sport has reached a magnitude once only dreamed of simply by making its purity available to the masses.

It’s an international powerhouse, an athletic portrayal of excellence and dominance, and has become more entertaining than ever.

The reasons are boundless, but for the sake of acknowledgement, here are 20 iron-clad truths as to why MMA is the greatest sport known to man.

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UFC 148: 10 Bold Predictions for Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen Card

On a night that will feature the greatest rematch in UFC history, it’s only fitting that the same PPV card offers a variety of dynamic bouts.So while many fans will tune in to see Anderson Silva defend his middleweight title against Chael Sonnen for th…

On a night that will feature the greatest rematch in UFC history, it’s only fitting that the same PPV card offers a variety of dynamic bouts.

So while many fans will tune in to see Anderson Silva defend his middleweight title against Chael Sonnen for the second time in two years, others will be tuning in all night long.

Here are 10 bold predictions for UFC 148, an event that could very well be the best the UFC has to offer in 2012.

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UFC 148: Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin will meet inside the Octagon for the third time this Saturday at UFC 148.Their borderline historic trilogy may be overshadowed by Anderson Silva’s rematch with Chael Sonnen, but if the first two bouts between two of the s…

Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin will meet inside the Octagon for the third time this Saturday at UFC 148.

Their borderline historic trilogy may be overshadowed by Anderson Silva‘s rematch with Chael Sonnen, but if the first two bouts between two of the sport’s most popular fighters showed us anything, this one is going to be close.

Whether it’s Ortiz over Griffin or Griffin over Ortiz, a classic rivalry is finally going to come to a decisive end.

Here’s the initial head-to-toe breakdown.

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UFC Winners and Losers for the Month of June

The UFC showcases a variety of events on a monthly basis.From free cards on FX to international PPV events from Brazil, fans have grown accustomed to watching their favorite athletes perform on a variety of stages.But for a handful of fighters, ones wh…

The UFC showcases a variety of events on a monthly basis.

From free cards on FX to international PPV events from Brazil, fans have grown accustomed to watching their favorite athletes perform on a variety of stages.

But for a handful of fighters, ones whose future is often judged by what they’ve done lately, a single fight could decide their definitive rank within the UFC’s many divisions.

Based on wins and losses, knockouts, submissions and the caliber of competition, here are the overall winners and losers for the month of June.

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