Author: Dan Hiergesell

The first half of the MMA season has reared its beautiful head and given fight fans something to chat about for seven complete months.

From Chris Weidman’s recent upset victory over one of the greatest fighters of all time to Viacom’s vast expansion over the past few months, the world of combat sports has officially changed forever.

But through all the knockouts, media-driven headlines, toe-to-toe championship battles and unpredicted outcomes, who are truly the biggest winners from the first stint of 2013?

Look no further.

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Gatekeepers are a group of fighters who have failed to stay afloat atop their respective divisions.  They still pack serious power as top-level threats, but they no longer possess the elite pizazz that they once did.

Now while many people think being labeled a gatekeeper is a bad omen for a veteran trying to keep his or her footing on the divisional ladder, these mysterious combatants are important to the sport and organizations like the UFC.

They provide fans and fellow fighters the opportunity to see how an up-and-coming prospect fares against a well-known Octagon warrior.  They separate the weak from the worthwhile and give insight into the future of the division for matchmakers like Joe Silva.

So without further ado, with all due respect, here is the one true gatekeeper for each UFC weight class. 

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The future is bright for the UFC.  In the past, it has combined home-grown talent with outside stars and created one of the most prolific, showstopping spectacles in the Milky Way.

But what it needs most is certainty.  It needs to know that each and every one of its superstar-rich divisions is being managed accordingly.

For this to happen, one distinguished and significant athlete needs to step up and take the reins in each division.  They must transcend their respective weight classes, map their own courses and dictate the rungs on the divisional ladders.

Fortunately for the UFC, these names are already gracing the roster.  Whether they’ve already reached their potential or are destined to peak in the future, they’re there.

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In lieu of evolving into one of the most diverse and jam-packed divisions in the UFC, the talented featherweight crop has welcomed former champions, budding prospects and revived veterans along the way.

From Frankie Edgar to Nik Lentz, Chan-Sung Jung to Cub Swanson, the weight class has thrived on new arrivals and breakout performances.

But what does all of it mean considering one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet in Jose Aldo sit atop the hill? 

It depends. Each and every top-ranked featherweight has one innate ability to challenge the champ, but when it’s all said and done, who really possesses the overall ingredient to dethrone a king?

Here’s each contender and pretender currently vying for the chance to turn a top-10 ranking into a championship opportunity.

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Rebounding from a heartbreaking defeat is one of the most crucial and more intricate responsibilities of being a mixed martial artist.

It often separates the phonies from the guys who spend their entire careers atop the divisional ladder.

But in today’s MMA, one that’s becoming a game of youth, veterans are continuously encountering an uphill battle when trying to fix their struggles.  So when it really comes down to it, there’s no pattern or predetermined road to travel.  It all depends on the fighter and their capability of correcting their mistakes. 

Do they possess the discipline, focus, short-term memory and overall skill set to adapt to a loss and overcome?  Or do they start to sink in the always-unforgiving pool of defeat?

Here are 10 high-profile fighters who have what it take to regroup, retool their games and reshape their futures.

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