A little more than six months ago, the UFC’s best fighter Jon Jones strolled to the cage and made easy work of his rival Daniel Cormier, putting an end to a blood feud that ultimately featured more smoke than fire.
In some ways that fight feels like yesterday, the rest of the year a blur of interchangeable events and ubiquitous UFC action. In other ways, UFC 182 was a lifetime ago.
The next time a fighter, any fighter, steps into the cage, he will be sporting Reebok and not whatever sponsor has supported him throughout his career. The drug testing procedures and policies governing his bout will be substantially changed, the punishments frighteningly severe. Misbehavior outside the cage will no longer be tolerated.
It’s a brand-new world—and Bleacher Report’s lead MMA writers have gathered together to discuss this startling transformation of our sport. Have some thoughts of your own to add? Come and join us in the comments.