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Victory over Okami Is Alan Belcher’s Next Step Towards a Title Shot

Over the past few years the UFC middleweight picture has become chaotic. With reigning king Anderson Silva still holding court, the race to become next in line has been a storm of trash talk, hype and public posturing, as the best middleweights have jo…

The formula has provided short-term gains for some, but success for none, as no contender has been able to dethrone the champion.

As these various scenarios have played out, Alan Belcher has simply been handling his business and dispatching of everything thrown his way.

The Duke Roufus-trained fighter has quietly put together an impressive run of four consecutive victories, all coming by way of stoppage. In fact, the lone setback in his past seven outings came by way of a razor-thin split-decision loss to Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 100.

On the biggest night in the organization’s history, the two middleweights set the Octagon on fire, trading everything they had to offer from bell to bell. The end result may have come as a disappointment to the Arkansas native, but his performance made the sport’s fanbase sit up and take notice.

Belcher would bounce back in his next showing against veteran Patrick Cote at UFC 113, but before he could build momentum, the 28-year-old was forced to undergo emergency eye surgery that stopped his career cold in its tracks.

There was a period following the procedure to repair his detached retina where it was uncertain if he would ever fight again. But Belcher came roaring back to action as he scored a dominant, first-round victory over Jason MacDonald at UFC Fight Night in New Orleans, LA.

The win over “The Athlete” put Belcher‘s name back in the middleweight conversation, but another strong performance complete with his second consecutive first-round finish in his next showing against Rousimar Palhares at UFC on Fox 3 raised his stock into the top 10 of the 185-pound weight class.

Belcher pounded out the leglock specialist in brutal fashion and moved another rung up the ladder in the process. Where in most divisions under the UFC banner, four consecutive victories all coming by way of finish would have a fighter rapping at the door of a title shot, “The Talent” understands the variables which have kept him at bay.

Injuries have managed to slow him down over the past two years, but now with a clean bill of health and a full head of steam Belcher is fired up and ready to get moving. He will look to make that next step in grand fashion when he squares off with Yushin Okami at UFC 155.

“I think it’s huge for me and I have to make a statement,” Belcher told Bleacher Report. “I have to prove that I deserve a big fight against one of the big-name guys—which I already have and I need to stay there. If I really want 2013 to be my run at the title, this is a great way to kick it off.

“I’m just looking for the ‘W’ more than anything else, but I think my drive and my abilities right now are going to make it a very strong statement. If it’s not a real clean win for me, it’s just because Yushin Okami is a very good fighter. It could very well be a really hard win for me, but I’ll do what it takes to get the ‘W’ and I feel pretty confident about it.

“The only thing that has really held me back is my long lay-off. Then when I made my return, I took a long time between fights. After this last fight I had a broken hand and that injury kept me out for awhile.

“It’s just been my long time in between fights. Why would they give somebody a chance to fight Anderson Silva who the fans don’t really know, and that could go in there and take the belt from him? I have to prove that I’m able to fight more often and I have to let more fans know who I am. I have an underground fan base but that’s about it.”

The bout with Okami on December 29 will hold special significance for Belcher for a multitude of reasons. The fight not only marks the first rematch of his 24-fight career, but it will come against the man who spoiled his UFC debut back in 2006.

In his first matchup with “Thunder,” Belcher saw his seven-fight win streak snapped when he came up on the wrong end of a unanimous decision. The opportunity to make good on his previous misstep is a unique experience, and one that has Belcher looking forward to their second go-around at UFC 155.

“It has its advantages and disadvantages,” Belcher said regarding his rematch with Okami. “The advantages are I lost to him before and that makes me hungrier. Maybe he thinks he can beat me again and that gives me a little bit of an edge. The disadvantage could be that I lost to him and he feels really confident, but the main thing is this is the first rematch of my career and that is what really fired me up about doing this fight. It’s against the right person and it is relevant in the rankings.

“Okami is going to be a legend in the UFC when it’s all finished. He’s fought some of the greatest guys and he’ll always be a top fighter as long as he’s competing. Now I have the rematch against him. He’s really the only guy who’s beat me that makes sense to fight again right now. The rematch really has me fired up. The idea of winning five straight and continuing on my streak is getting me pumped up.”

Stylistically speaking the two fighters couldn’t be more different.

Where Belcher brings an unpredictable and versatile attack into the cage, Okami is methodical and disciplined. It doesn’t matter if the Japanese fighter’s game plan is well-known, stopping it becomes the problem. It is a task Belcher is confident he can handle this time around, and he believes he has a variety of answers to the challenges the former No. 1 contender presents.

“[Okami] is threatening with what he does,” Belcher said. “He’s really tight and really athletic. He has a big body and throws fast punches nice and straight. He can kick a little bit, he’s hard to hit, and strong. He pressures you, puts you against the cage, and tries to clinch up with you. He has good take downs. He is good on the ground and good at holding you down.

“He’s good at what he does but at the same time, it’s very easy to figure out what he’s going to do. He’s very predictable. I have a lot of options with the things I can do. I have a lot of different styles and strategies I use. I have a lot of different ways to beat him where for him to win, he has to keep pressuring me and has to take me down. That’s pretty much it.”

A victory over Okami would not only make it five in a row for Belcher, but also place a big feather in his proverbial cap. Where his past wins have all been impressive, coming out on top of a solid name like the one Okami carries would be a strong push to place him firmly in the upper tier of the middleweight division.

It would also further the blue-collar effort Belcher has put forth in climbing the rankings towards a title shot. Despite recent examples of surging contenders being passed over for higher-profile opposition, Belcher embraces both optimism and realism equally.

He knows it is a position he’s scrapping his way towards, but at the same time, not a situation he’s currently included in. That being the case, Belcher is looking forward to making his case undeniable and feels he has a versatile skill set few fighters can match.

“It is an interesting time right now,” Belcher said. “I feel like the UFC is a little bit desperate to make big-money fights, but I don’t really fit into that category right now. It sucks, but we’ll deal with that when it comes. Right now, I have to win this fight and then probably one or two more.

“After I beat Yushin Okami, I’m not going to be mad if the UFC doesn’t have me fighting Anderson Silva in February or March. I want to make it realistic. I want to work for it. I want to legitimately beat everyone in the division with no questions asked. That means if I have to beat Lombard, Bisping, Belfort, Weidman, all of them in 2013, that’s what I’ll do.

“There are things I’ve been working on for years and years I’m really good at. My grappling is dynamic but I don’t think people realize the technical side of it. I’m always working it and I think my grappling is cleaner than most UFC fighters. I really pay attention to the details. The same goes with my striking.

“One of the things the fans love about my striking, and one of the things that makes me dangerous is my attitude. I’m very comfortable in there. I really get in my opponent’s face and throw a lot of strikes. I mix it up and go for takedowns. Not to mention all my shots are clean and powerful. I have some really strong tools.

“I’ll be the first one to admit I have some places I need to work on and I’m always working on them, but compared to everyone else in the division, and most fighters in the UFC, I would say my style is very versatile and I have a lot of tools.”

As Belcher‘s fight towards the ultimate goal of becoming a UFC champion continues, his work outside of the cage carries on as well. Belcher and his wife Ashlee have been diligent in committing their time to various charities in their community and surrounding areas.

Their commitment has impacted situations large and small, as the Belchers have worked with groups ranging from the Humane Society to individuals in their community struggling to pay medical bills. It is a passion they share as a family and giving back to those in need remains a high priority.

“We are trying to team up with St. Jude’s [Hospital] right now and put together a martial arts for St. Jude’s program,” Belcher said. “It’s an organization I would like to team up with and I like that cause. I grew up close close to the Memphis Tennessee area in Northeast Arkansas, and St, Jude’s Hospital there in Memphis really helps a lot of kids and families. They operate entirely on donations and it takes a lot to run that place.

“I’ll be posting some links up on my website and Twitter pretty soon. I’m trying to raise some money for St. Jude’s and get involved in that a little bit more. Right now, I’m just trying to help out around Christmas time. Trying to help some families is what I’ve been doing this year. I’m doing a little bit less for my family and trying to teach them it’s not about having a bunch of Christmas presents under the tree. I’m trying to give my kids the gift of giving to other people.”

Drive and determination are not things in short supply in the life of Alan Belcher. In a life full of complexities, setbacks, victories and lessons learned, he charges forward knowing he has an unwavering confidence in his abilities. Next Saturday night in Las Vegas, the time to once again put his skills to the test will arrive, and in his signature fashion, Belcher is going to leave everything he has inside the Octagon.

“As always I’m going to be fearless,” Belcher said. “I’m a fighter who is going to leave everything in the ring and have no regrets. I’m going to leave it all out there and do the very best that I can at that moment, in that fight, for those 15 minutes. Win, lose, or draw; I guarantee I’m not just going to lay down and give it away.”

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No Longer Waiting, Renan Barao Looking Forward to Battle with McDonald

The waiting game is over for Renan Barao.The UFC interim bantamweight champion had decided to wait for Dominick Cruz’s return from injury in hopes of unifying the divisional title. But after the reigning 135-pound champion reported his recovery would b…

The waiting game is over for Renan Barao.

The UFC interim bantamweight champion had decided to wait for Dominick Cruz’s return from injury in hopes of unifying the divisional title. But after the reigning 135-pound champion reported his recovery would be prolonged due to complication’s with the repaired ligaments in his knee resulting in a second ACL tear, Barao immediately decided to move forward.

The rising Brazilian star will put his title on the line against surging prospect turned contender Michael McDonald at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in London, England. Both fighters have played a huge part in the shaping of the weight class in Cruz’s absence, and while the unification bout is the fight Barao wanted, the 25-year-old is at ease with the situation.

“I am peaceful,” Barao told Bleacher Report through translator Francisco Sigiliano. “The goal is Cruz, but something unforeseen can happen and change the opponent. What matters most is the fight. I really wanted to fight as soon as possible. I’m exited to not have to wait that long.”

The buzz surrounding Barao has been building for years and for good reason. After losing his first professional effort in 2005, Barao has not tasted defeat since the Nova Uniao product has collected 29 consecutive victories in versatile fashion. He has proven to be dangerous wherever the fight takes place, scoring a mixture of knockouts and submission finishes over the course of his impressive run.

When he finally made his North American debut at WEC 49 in 2010, Barao made the most of the opportunity, submitting Anthony Leone with an armbar in the third round. Once the WEC merged into the UFC, Barao put his foot on the gas and did not look back as he steamrolled his way through upper-tier caliber competition the likes of Brad Pickett, Scott Jorgensen and former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber.

The victory over the “California Kid” earned Barao his first UFC title and his journey to the top has garnered acclaim across the MMA landscape. The young Brazilian is nominated for “Breakthrough Fighter of the Year” at the 2012 World MMA Awards, and is a big reason his coach Andre Pederneiras, and gym Nova Uniao, are up for awards as well.

Barao‘s time in the spotlight is only just beginning, and long hours spent in the gym working to become UFC champion are starting to pay dividends.

“It is a dream that we’ve been working towards for many years,” Barao said. “It is the result of the hard work we have labored for many years with various positive results. I am very happy.”

While the original plan was a showdown with Cruz, the path has altered courses, and the current road leads to McDonald in England.

Neither man has been defeated under the Zuffa banner. While Barao‘s win streak has been a hot topic of conversation, “Mayday” has put together an impressive run in his own right. The 21-year old has earned eight consecutive victories with his most recent win coming in highlight reel fashion as he knocked out former champion Miguel Torres in the first round of their bout at UFC 145 in April.

Both Barao and McDonald have the capability to end a fight wherever the action takes place. Their main event bout in London will be a show case of the division’s future as both fighters bring a well rounded skill set into the Octagon. There is no doubt Barao has become one of the weight class’s most feared strikers, but he is not looking past McDonald in any form or fashion.

“We will assemble the best possible strategy,” Barao said. “I do not know if striking will be an advantage for me. I try to train in all areas and that keeps me comfortable standing and on the ground. I am happy to show my work in the best way possible. I’m going to battle forward. I’ll give my best and try to come out with the win at all costs.”

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Cain Velasquez: Being the Champion Means Everything to Me

Redemption can be a powerful motivator. When the chance to correct a misstep is within reach, the mind sharpens and the focus intensifies to ensure the previous mistake will not be repeated. Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will have this exact opportunity when he faces Junior dos Santos at UFC 155, and the only thing on his mind is recapturing the title.

The 30-year-old AKA-trained fighter suffered the first loss of his professional career to the Brazilian slugger when the two men squared-off at UFC on Fox 1 in November of 2011. After more than a year away from the Octagon, Velasquez stepped in against a surging contender, looking to make his first title defense. Ultimately the effort was ill-fated, as a powerful right hand put him on the canvas and ended the fight early in the first round.

With a champion mindset, Velasquez bounced back strong as he took apart Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in his next outing at UFC 146. The fight was a brutal display of ground and pound as Velasquez earned victory by way of stoppage in the first round.

The impressive performance not only reminded the MMA world just how much of a wrecking machine a healthy Velasquez can be, but earned the California-native another shot at the title in the process.

“I felt good mentally and physically,” Velasquez explained about the Silva fight. “I think it showed that night. When you know you are 100% and you know are ready to go, you just have that feeling. You know you are going to perform well.

“I knew I could get back to form. I know what I have and I know what was wrong in the first fight with dos Santos. I know where I messed up in that fight with Junior and that was it. I don’t feel I lost anything as far as my fighting skills go. I’m the same fighter I just didn’t do what I was supposed to do that night.”

On the same night Velasquez battered Silva, dos Santos successfully defended his title against former two-time champion Frank Mir, setting up the rematch between the sport’s two top heavyweights.

Much like their first meeting, many in the MMA world believe Velasquez’s chances for success weigh heavily on his ability to put dos Santos on the canvas. While the former ASU wrestling standout will certainly have the advantage in the wrestling department, getting JDS to the ground has proven to be no easy task.

That being said, Velasquez knows he will have to take the fight into close-range. Once he is able to close the distance and eliminate the space where the champion is most effective, Velasquez believes he can find victory.

“The best place for me to be is inside,” Velasquez said. “I have a lot of tools there with boxing, knees and kicks. The wrestling is always there too when you are in that position. On the inside is where I’m best and he works better at a distance. I think he can be beaten that way.

“[dos Santos] has worked a lot on defensive wrestling and the fundamentals of defending the takedown. When he gets down he doesn’t let people sit there on top of him. Junior doesn’t wait. As soon as he hits the ground he’s popping right back up. That shows how hard he works on defending.”

In less than two weeks Velasquez will have the opportunity to prove to the MMA world he is still the number one heavyweight fighter on the planet. In order to do so, the former All-American will have to succeed where he previously failed and find an answer to a puzzle no one under the UFC banner has been able to figure out.

While the path ahead is difficult—when the prize at the end of the road matters more than anything else—the greatest challenges make the journey worthwhile.

“Everything that I’m doing now is about being the champion,” Velasquez said. “I’m in this sport to be the number one guy and to be the best. It means everything to me. I’m not in this sport to be a contender. I’m in this sport to be a champion. I’m going in there with one purpose and that is to get that belt. That’s why I’m here—to be the champion.”

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes obtained first hand.

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The Fighting Life: Jon Jones Balancing the Pressure and Promise of Expectation

The lives of professional fighters are filled with uncertainty. Their successes and failures play out in the public eye for all to see. When the cage door closes and the battle of wills begin, it becomes a matter of opportunity. One walks away victorio…

The lives of professional fighters are filled with uncertainty. Their successes and failures play out in the public eye for all to see.

When the cage door closes and the battle of wills begin, it becomes a matter of opportunity. One walks away victorious, the other defeated, the outcome sometimes determined by only the slightest of margins.

What happens under the bright lights is what the fans are left to debate, but rarely are they given a glimpse into what it takes to make the walk to the cage in the first place.

This is what the climb looks like. This is The Fighting Life.

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In the world of sports, greatness is a term used sparingly. Extraordinary performances and highlight-reel moments roll across television screens and burrow themselves into our collective memories, but when an athlete develops a consistency for achieving the unthinkable, something special begins to happen, and before our very eyes, a star is born.

In mixed martial arts, that fighter is Jon Jones. Over the past two years, the New York native has launched into the stratosphere on a meteoric rise that has not only taken him from prospect to champion, but thrust his name into the conversation of being one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.

Where most young fighters earn their stripes grinding their way through divisional pictures and building the slow buzz of expectation, Jones blazed his way to the very top of the sport, shattering the concept of potential every step of the way. The 25-year-old accomplished these feats in such rapid fashion, it was difficult for those watching to pinpoint exactly where his trajectory changed gears. But after Jones defeated seasoned veteran Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94, he knew something extraordinary had begun.

“I realized things were going great right away when I beat Stephan Bonnar,” Jones said. “Stephan is a guy who had a big name in the sport and was highly respected. I was a nobody going into that fight. For me to beat him showed me there was something different going on, and upsetting a fighter who was beyond me in that moment was special. “

Immediately following his dominant performance over the TUF alum, the buzz surrounding Jones began to build. Over the next year and a half, that noise became amplified with every outing, as “Bones” destroyed every opponent put in his path, manhandling and crushing a collection of proven veterans in the sport.

Jones emerging victorious would have been impressive enough in itself, but the fashion in which he was making typically gritty fighters fold and appear as if they had no business being in the same cage with him quickened his ascension into the divisional elite.

Once his position was solidified in the upper tier of the light heavyweight division, it was assumed the challenges facing the young star would have become more difficult, but no one could have predicted what Jones was about to accomplish in 2011.

In what many in the MMA world refer to as the best single year of any mixed martial artist in the history of the sport, Jones established himself as the most dominant champion the weight class had seen since Chuck Liddell, and so began the talk of legacy for the Greg Jackson-trained fighter.

“It was a phenomenal year,” Jones explained about his run in 2011. “It took a lot of hard work, but it was a lot of fun. But because I was having so much fun I guess I didn’t realize how much work I had put in. I wouldn’t take it back for the world, and hopefully I can duplicate that year in the future.

“Legacy is definitely something that is always on my mind, and it is a big reason why I fight. I’m already the champion, so I don’t fight to be the champion. I fight to be remembered. I fight to conquer records. I’m here to fight and to challenge myself.”

With a dominant championship run well under way, the glare of the spotlight focused directly on Jones’ shoulders. In a culture where the successes and failures of high-profile athletes are consistently under the microscope, being in a position such as the one Jones finds himself occupying comes with an immense amount of pressure.

For as much praise as the young champion has received for his work inside the Octagon, the negative backlash for missteps in the realm of his personal life has presented challenges perhaps more daunting than those he’s faced inside the cage.

While Jones continues to navigate the ups and downs of notoriety and stardom, he’s embraced the journey and lessons learned by staying grounded despite circumstance.

“The position I’m in comes with pressure, but it is pressure I enjoy,” Jones said. “I realize in order to do anything magnificent or to accomplish great things it is going to be tough. There is going to be a lot of pressure. You can’t expect it to be easy, and I’m very aware of that. I embrace the heartache, all the hard work it takes to carry those things, and the pressures that come along with it.

“The biggest thing is to remember to be myself. I need to remind myself to have fun with it and to remember people are going to watch for different reasons. Some people are going to watch, really admire, appreciate and have fun with the sport. Other people are looking for downfalls and ways to criticize. You just have to respect both views. You have to continue to be you and let people be the judge.”

While the year Jones experienced in 2011 was one for the record books, his performances in 2012 have been nothing to scoff at. In April, he put a long-simmering feud with former teammate Rashad Evans to rest by defeating the former champion at UFC 145. Jones was then slated to face former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson at UFC 151, but after “Hendo” withdrew due to injury and the entire card was ultimately canceled, Jones once again found himself the target of criticism.

In the chaos of the UFC 151 situation, former middleweight contender Chael Sonnen attempted to fill the vacancy left by Henderson’s injury. While Jones initially rejected the bout and would go on to defeat Vitor Belfort weeks later at UFC 152, a rivalry was born between Jones and Sonnen.

The biggest point of contention from Jones’ perspective was that Sonnen was lobbying for a title fight that Jones believed had not been earned. The 205-pound weight class is one of the organization’s most talent-rich divisions, and Jones saw giving Sonnen a title opportunity as something that could devalue the title he proudly holds.

Jones ultimately agreed to a bout with Sonnen, but his position on earning the opportunity to compete for championship gold hasn’t changed.

“I feel the appropriate thing to do is to always have the champion fight the next-best guy in line,” Jones said. “But at the same time, I also recognize it is appropriate to keep the fans happy. In a situation like the one I’m in where I’ve already fought and defeated the top competition, I think it is OK to start pulling random guys in there because I’ve already beaten the top fighters in my division.

“Chael Sonnen just so happens to be an opponent that makes the fans happy right now. I’m going to give the fans what they want whether it makes sense rankings-wise or not.”

To add to the growing buzz surrounding the fight, the UFC tapped Jones and Sonnen to be the coaches of the 17th installment of The Ultimate Fighter. While the thought of Jones having to deal with Sonnen’s trash talk for six weeks set the MMA world abuzz, the champion once again chose to embrace a different angle of the situation.

“Coaching TUF has been a great experience,” Jones said. “To meet seven new athletes and to care about someone else’s career in the prime of my own has been unique. To genuinely set myself aside, focus on others, and making someone else that next best guy has been different for me because I’m a very focused and driven guy and not one to put that focus on other athletes. I focus on what I need to do, and to put that focus on others and assisting them has been a blessing.”

There is no doubting the star power Jones possesses, but at the same time, it is easily lost that he is a 25-year-old man making his way through the world. Jones’ talent will ultimately decide whether he obtains the greatness he seeks, but his maturation through the trials and tribulations of life will dictate his ability to fulfill the expectations set upon him.

By all accounts, he is the future of the sport. He is the chosen one who has the ability to take MMA and the UFC to the mainstream masses. Whether this is a vision Jones can make a reality remains to be seen, but if there is one thing MMA fans have come to understand about Jon Jones, it’s that once you think you’ve seen the best of his capabilities, his next performance will make you realize you haven’t seen the best of him yet.

Duane Finley is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

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Georges St-Pierre Talks Nick Diaz, Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit & More

UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is a busy man these days. After making a successful return to form by defeating Carlos Condit at UFC 154, GSP is already back in the spotlight with the announcement that his next bout will come against former…

While a showdown with the Stockton bad boy is a fight that has been brewing for some time, St. Pierre’s decision to fight the Cesar Gracie-trained fighter rather than Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks has created waves. Many consider Bigg Rigg to be the true No. 1 contender. But St. Pierre believes the unfinished business with Diaz needs to be addressed first and foremost.

This past Saturday at the The Ultimate FIghter 16 finale in Las Vegas, the reigning welterweight king explained his decision to fight Diaz, the lingering superfight with Anderson Silva and discussed his performance against Condit in Montreal.

Be sure to sound off and let us know what you think in the comments below. If you like what you see, click here for more from Bleacher Report Productions.

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The UFC Featherweight Division Rises in 2013

With a quick look at the UFC’s schedule for 2013, it becomes clear the organization has every intention to fire out of the gates in the new year throwing heavy leather. With the past 12 months marred by injury, bout changes and an entire card being cancelled, the UFC is looking to bounce back in impressive fashion by rolling out a first-quarter lineup filled with high-profile matchups featuring a handful of the sport’s biggest names.

While the promotion’s superstars will rightfully draw the lion’s share of the attention, the current schedule has created an interesting opportunity for an entire weight class to make a long-overdue impact with the UFC fanbase.

Since the WEC merged with the UFC in 2010, the featherweight division has sat idly at the bottom of the promotion’s deck. Save for current champion and pound-for-pound candidate Jose Aldo, the weight class has failed to establish itself as a “must watch” division. But the tides of change are swirling, and suddenly there is a group of potential contenders looking to scrap their way into the title picture.

The collective is a mixture of veterans, prospects and a former lightweight champion. If said fighters continue to bring the same brand of ruckus they brought to the Octagon in 2012, by the end of the coming year, the featherweight division could not only put itself on the map in the UFC, but produce several stars in the process.

Contenders in the Making

With the way the current schedule is lined up, the 145-pound divisional picture is going to become hectic in a hurry. While former No. 1 contender Chad Mendes and rising prospect Dustin Poirier both finished 2012 with strong performances, the remaining fighters in the Top 10 will all see action in the coming months.

On January’s UFC on Fox 6 card, Duke Roufus protege Erik Koch will face Ricardo Lamas. While “New Breed” was originally slated to face Aldo in the main event of UFC 153, injury ultimately forced him out of the fight, and with Frankie Edgar dropping down and stepping in to fill his place, the 24-year-old watched his title shot become nonexistent.

When Koch steps into the Octagon in Chicago, it will be his first appearance in over a year, but prior to the injury that forced him out of the Aldo fight, the Milwaukee-based fighter had put together four consecutive victories.

While Koch has garnered acclaim for his potential, Lamas has been somewhat of a silent assassin in the featherweight division. The Chicago native has won all three of his fights under the UFC banner, with his most recent victory coming in impressive fashion as he upset highly touted Japanese fighter Hatsu Hioki at UFC on FX 4. The win over Hioki put “The Bully” on the radar for title contention, and with Koch’s previous title shot taken away by circumstance, it would come as no surprise if the winner of this bout is awarded the next title shot.

Another fighter who has put together a banner year is Jackson-Winkeljohn trained fighter Cub Swanson. The longest-tenured featherweight on the Zuffa roster experienced a career resurgence in 2012, as he earned victories over George Roop, Ross Pearson and Charles Oliveira. All three victories came by way of knockout, and in the process of doing so, Swanson solidified himself in the conversation of top contenders in the featherweight mix.

Despite the California native campaigning for a bout with Chan Sung Jung, “The Korean Zombie” has yet to return from injury and Swanson’s next bout with come against Dennis Siver at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in February.

Since dropping down to featherweight, the 33-year-old Siver has looked like a man possessed. The German-born fighter has earned lopsided decision victories over Diego Nunes and TUF alum Nam Phan working behind a high-output attack and powerful strikes.

When Siver was competing at 155 pounds, he was one of the division’s more muscular fighters, but at featherweight he is a monster. Typically muscle-heavy fighters tend to have endurance issues as a fight carries on, but Siver‘s two showings in the 145-pound weight class have been to the contrary, as he’s poured on the offense from bell to bell on both occasions. With Swanson vs. Siver guaranteed to be a violent tilt, it is also possible the winner could find himself in the No. 1 contender’s chair.

Another noteworthy clash at the UFC on Fox 6 card in January will feature former lightweight contender Clay Guida as he makes his UFC featherweight debut against Hioki. With both fighters coming off losses, the bout carries no title implications, but the outcome will determine which fighter stays in the hunt of an increasingly competitive division.

Guida has competed for years as an undersized lightweight, and it will be interesting to see how he fares against fighters his own size. “The Carpenter” is coming off a poor performance against Gray Maynard where his typically fan-friendly fighting style was anything but. A win over an opponent of Hioki‘s caliber will put the Chicago native on the fast track to the division’s upper tier.

The Non-Superfight Superfight

While the rest of the pack scraps it out to see who is going to fill out the “next” position, the one featherweight clash the MMA world is salivating for will come at UFC 156 when Aldo defends his title against Edgar. After the initial meeting was scrapped due to Aldo’s injury in late September, the UFC decided to keep the pairing intact and reschedule for a later date.

It has been seven years since the 26-year-old Brazilian suffered the lone loss of his career, and over that time, “Junior” has collected a 14-fight win streak. With remarkable speed and accurate striking, the Nova Uniao product has outshone the opposition on every occasion. His natural talent and abilities have earned him the respect of being one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best and have garnered comparisons to the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Anderson Silva.

Those are lofty expectations to live up to, but Aldo has shown no signs of such things being too burdensome to carry. The only knock to Aldo’s reign has been the level of competition he’s faced, and if he can defeat an opponent as accomplished as Edgar, the GOAT talk will certainly increase.

The picture looks a bit different from Edgar’s perspective. One year ago, the Toms River native was the reigning lightweight champion, but after two razor-thin decision losses to Benson Henderson, “The Answer” suddenly found himself on the outside of title contention in the ultra-competitive division he once championed.

Edgar had been receiving pressure to drop down to the featherweight division for years, and following his second loss to Henderson, the former Clarion University standout wrestler decided it was time to make the move.

Should Edgar be the first to solve the Aldo puzzle, he will join a small group of fighters who have accomplished the difficult task of earning titles in two different weight classes. On the other hand, if Edgar falls short against the Brazilian phenom, a third consecutive loss would do major damage to his relevance in the sport. While I can’t see a loss to Aldo costing Edgar his job with the UFC, for a fighter as proud and talented as Edgar has proven to be, it would put him in limbo.

Over the next two-and-a-half months, all of the lingering questions will be answered, and it’s quite possible that those answers will come in exciting fashion. If this proves to be the case, 2013 will be the year the featherweight division finally gets its due.

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