Given that the metaphorical UFC fighter blood is flowing in the streets like metaphorical wine these days, a lot of the action in the speculative end of the MMA discourse pool has focused on who might next appear on the old metaphorical chopping block.
But the world is far too complex for just one narrative. Even as we guess about who we might see under the axe tomorrow, other veterans are preparing for comebacks today, both inside and outside the UFC.
Here are my 10 picks for those ready to step back into the spotlight in 2013. To be clear, this is not just a list of retired or semi-retired fighters looking to return to the sport. These are fighters who fell on hard times and saw themselves fall off the radar, but who I believe will regain their old positions this year.