UFC on FOX 2: 10 Reasons Why It Will Be the Best Event of 2012

Leading up to the new year, there’s one UFC event that soars above all others.UFC on FOX 2.Now while UFC 144 in Japan seems ready to capitalize the MMA world on numerous international levels, the next installment of Dana White’s seven-year deal with FO…

Leading up to the new year, there’s one UFC event that soars above all others.

UFC on FOX 2.

Now while UFC 144 in Japan seems ready to capitalize the MMA world on numerous international levels, the next installment of Dana White‘s seven-year deal with FOX still proves more worthy than the rest.

Not only will the event feature three main fights compared to the sole heavyweight championship bout between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez at UFC on FOX 1, which lasted only minutes, but the nationally broadcast card will showcase two No. 1 contender bouts.

One being Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis in the light heavyweight division, and the other being Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz in the middleweight division.

The Octagon ability by all four fighters makes this event unique, but it’s the future championship implications that make it special.  The winner of each fight will ultimately get the chance to take on one of the most dominate pound-for-pound fighters in the world, in their respective divisions.  Anderson Silva and Jon Jones.

With that said, on top of this explosive card coming at no charge for well-deserving fans, here are 10 reasons why UFC on FOX 2 will be the best event of 2012.

Begin Slideshow

12 Fighters the UFC Needs to Sign Immediately

The UFC is becoming more popular by the minute.President Dana White has done his absolute best in bringing the most skilled MMA fighters in the world to the UFC, offering loyal fans the most diverse fightcards on a month-to-month basis.Prominent names …

The UFC is becoming more popular by the minute.

President Dana White has done his absolute best in bringing the most skilled MMA fighters in the world to the UFC, offering loyal fans the most diverse fightcards on a month-to-month basis.

Prominent names like Alistair Overeem, Nick Diaz, Hatsu Hioki and Fabricio Werdum have made their way to the UFC over the past few months, translating into deeper and more extravagant divisions.

Heading into 2012, following Brock Lesnar‘s destruction of Overeem at UFC 141, White and the Fertitta brothers need to do everything in their power to continue this expansion trend.

With that said, here are 12 fighters that the UFC needs to sign, now.

Begin Slideshow

UFC: 20 Christmas Gifts for 20 Fighters

It’s that time of the year.Glowing blue lights, blow-up lawn ornaments, boatloads of wrapping and cheerful people around the world are doing their very best to ring in Christmas.Remember, this could be the last Christmas known to man, if and when the w…

It’s that time of the year.

Glowing blue lights, blow-up lawn ornaments, boatloads of wrapping and cheerful people around the world are doing their very best to ring in Christmas.

Remember, this could be the last Christmas known to man, if and when the world does in fact end in 2012 (which has a better chance of happening than Tank Abbott making a comeback).

But despite the fairy tales we are passing on to unsuspecting minds, there’s no better time for giving then that infamous 25th day of December.

Children embrace it, parents endure it and yes, even UFC fighters enjoy the holidays.

So by keeping the tradition of the Christmas spirit throughout Bleacher Report and the sport of MMA, here are 20 ironic gifts for 20 well-deserving fighters.

Sorry, no iPads.

Begin Slideshow

UFC: 10 Things the Mainstream Media Gets Wrong About MMA

Along with trying to establish mixed martial arts in American sports culture, MMA promoters like the UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator are competing against the excepted assumptions of the sport in today’s mainstream media, including news outlets, uneducat…

Along with trying to establish mixed martial arts in American sports culture, MMA promoters like the UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator are competing against the excepted assumptions of the sport in today’s mainstream media, including news outlets, uneducated fans, ill-advised combat followers and more.

With obvious aspects of MMA weighing on the first impressions of ordinary sports fans, such as rules, how fighters train and how barbaric it really is, the potential for growth heading into the future becomes somewhat limited.

However, people need to understand that MMA is only getting stronger, so by subjecting yourself to the truths about the sport and companies like the UFC, you’re only giving in to the inevitable.

With that said, here are the top-10 things that mainstream media misunderstands about the sport of MMA and the UFC included.

Begin Slideshow

UFC: Power Ranking the Top 10 Events of 2011

As we approach the end of December, more specifically UFC 141, it’s important to remember how we got here.This year may have offered the best fights ever in a 12-month span.From Anderson Silva and Jon Jones KO title defenses, to two championship bouts …

As we approach the end of December, more specifically UFC 141, it’s important to remember how we got here.

This year may have offered the best fights ever in a 12-month span.

From Anderson Silva and Jon Jones KO title defenses, to two championship bouts between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard, this year has encompassed unbelievable knockouts, submissions, comeback victories and legendary showdowns.

To be honest with you, constructing this list was a lot harder than I initially expected, considering the magnitude of fights and depth of talent that the UFC gives its fans on a monthly basis.

With that said, along with the expectations of UFC 141 being a legitimate PPV event to ring in the new year, here are the top 10 UFC events of 2011.

I apologize in advance if anybody is offended because their favorite fighters, or fights, fail to make this list.  There were simply too many jaw-dropping events. 

And a quick heads up.  George St. Pierre and BJ Penn are not on this list.  Probably the only time over the past five years in which you can’t call me crazy for not throwing them on here.  Enjoy.

Begin Slideshow

UFC 140 Results: What’s Left to Say About Jon Jones?

Do you now believe?Between the massive tweets and eccentric fans who tuned into UFC 140, the MMA community witnessed Jon Jones’ deciding victory over the aggressive Lyoto Machida Saturday night.Whether it was the nasty gash on Machida’s forehead, compl…

Do you now believe?

Between the massive tweets and eccentric fans who tuned into UFC 140, the MMA community witnessed Jon Jones’ deciding victory over the aggressive Lyoto Machida Saturday night.

Whether it was the nasty gash on Machida’s forehead, compliments of a Jones elbow, or the out-of-this-world standing guillotine that ended the fight in the second round, Jones’ decisive win over a top contender was everything justifiable.

Heading into UFC 140, many people, whether they wanted to or not, disregarded Jones as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, considering he had only defended his UFC light heavyweight championship once. 

But following this victory, one that came after a first-round barrage of Machida strikes, what’s left to say about Jones?

Honestly, not much.  I mean, what can you say? 

He is, right now, the best fighter in the world.  Whether you disagree in respect for middleweight champion Anderson Silva, or if you just don’t want to crown a 24-year-old the “great one,” Jones’ dominance reigns true in any fashion.

The guy has only been training MMA for four years, and he has already captured glory at the grandest scale.  To think that his victory over Machida Saturday night wasn’t part of some glorious UFC destination seems unrewarding and unfair to a guy who has done everything—in and out of the Octagon—to perfection.

At this point in his career, with his striking ability, quick reactions to limit damage and his unorthodox submissions, Jones has simply transformed into a younger Silva. 

Not only because he resembles Silva through length, speed and demeanor, but because his attitude and success in the cage proves too valuable to pass up.

Think about it this way.  Can you imagine what the UFC would witness is Silva was currently 24 years old? 

It’d be madness. 

One fighter who has the power to take over the sport.  One athlete who can transcend his predecessors at every level.  One man who can shift the sport into mainstream America and rule mixed martial arts for the next decade.

Well, look no further.  Imagination or not, Jon Jones is currently that guy. 

He is the 24-year-old Silva that the UFC needs. 

Be sure to stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 140. B/R is your home for complete coverage of the December 10 fight card, from pre-fight predictions to in-fight coverage, results and post-fight analysis.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com