The year 2011 belonged to Jon Jones and Junior Dos Santos.
Both UFC fighters climbed to the top of their respective divisions to capture a world title. The year 2012 represents a fresh start for champions and would-be challengers.
With only two bouts in 2011, Dos Santos fought like the champion he would later prove to be in his heavyweight championship bout with Cain Velasquez in November.
Velasquez was being hailed as the surefire heavyweight kingpin for years to come, but one right hand from Dos Santos proved that there is never a sure thing in MMA.
Meanwhile, Jones put in work like a man on an assembly line.
The 24-year-old stud not only defeated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to capture the UFC light heavyweight title, but he also managed to defend the title two consecutive times against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida.
All of this doesn’t even include his submission win over then-top contender Ryan Bader in February.
Statistically, there is a high probability that every UFC champ won’t be left standing by the end of 2012.
Who will reign over each division by the end of the year?