As the UFC starts the year off with the FOX network, Mixed Martial Arts, as a whole, will enter a critical point in the sport’s short history.
MMA has been one of the largest-growing sports in the world. With the FOX deal, the sport is hoping to reach a mainstream audience.
Although 2011 turned out to be one of the best in MMA history, constant injuries plagued many fighters and events.
Three of the UFC’s biggest stars—Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre and Brock Lesnar—battled through injuries last year.
Lesnar ended up retiring after his fight with Alistair Overeem at UFC 141, and Silva and St-Pierre will be out for the beginning of 2012 to recover.
With the three of the biggest stars in MMA not fighting, this gives younger or lesser known fighters a chance to gain more attention.
Jon Jones had a break out year in 2011, winning the UFC light heavyweight title and defending it twice.
But injuries both on his and Rashad Evans’ part kept the two from meeting twice in 2011.
Injuries in the sport happen.
Whether it is during training or the night of the fight, there will always be injuries that cause a fighter to be sidelined.
But, as the sport is looking to make a push to the mainstream, the more popular fighters are hurt. This could mean that more casual fans will turn away from the sport.
Injuries also make titles less and less irrelevant because the champion is unable to defend it.
Each UFC champion was affected one way or another by injuries last year.
Although interim titles can be created, it takes away the prestigious feeling that a title is suppose to bring.
Injuries have always been around in MMA and will continue to be apart of the sport. But if there are more injury plagued years like we recently witnessed, it could be the downfall of the sport.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com