Greatness is often measured by what a specific athlete can accomplish over the course of his career.The sport of mixed martial arts is no different as there are many world-class fighters who have put their talents to use and become recognized as “great…
Greatness is often measured by what a specific athlete can accomplish over the course of his career.
The sport of mixed martial arts is no different as there are many world-class fighters who have put their talents to use and become recognized as “great.”
However, there are also many fighters who have yet to become great but have a bright future ahead of them.
Many of these fighters are on a fast track to the top of their respective divisions as they have shown distinct skills compared to the average fighter.
And, through hard work and dedication, these fighters will someday be known as the superstars of mixed martial arts.
So, the following slides display 10 fighters who will become superstars.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been transformed into a world powerhouse since it first emerged on the scene 18 years ago.And as the UFC continues to develop itself into an elite class of its own, the personalities of the fighters remain the sam…
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been transformed into a world powerhouse since it first emerged on the scene 18 years ago.
And as the UFC continues to develop itself into an elite class of its own, the personalities of the fighters remain the same.
Like any sport, the UFC has its most popular fighters who are loved by many fans, those who don’t have many fans and, of course, those who are hated.
For some reason or another, these fighters have done or said something that has turned fans away, and the chances of these fighters ever becoming a fan favorite again are slim to none.
So, the following slides display the 10 most hated fighters in the UFC.
Donald Cerrone is 4-0 since joining the UFC, and in those four fights, he has finished three of his opponents, earned three different fight night awards, and has worked himself into contender position in the lightweight division.At the beginning of 201…
Donald Cerrone is 4-0 since joining the UFC, and in those four fights, he has finished three of his opponents, earned three different fight night awards, and has worked himself into contender position in the lightweight division.
At the beginning of 2011, the division was incredibly crowded, and the draw and subsequent injuries to Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard tied up the division for months.
However, now on the precipice of 2012, the division has been significantly thinned out, leaving only three real contenders left.
The first is Benson Henderson, who will face Frankie Edgar at UFC 144. The second is Gilbert Melendez, who will likely be staying in Strikeforce and the third is Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
At UFC 141, I expect Donald Cerrone to defeat Nick Diaz. Then at UFC 144, I believe that Benson Henderson will defeat Frankie Edgar.
Then, Cerrone will likely fight someone, perhaps Gray Maynard, at around UFC 145.
When Cerrone wins that fight, it will set up a third fight with Benson Henderson, this time with the UFC lightweight title on the line.
The first time these two met, the WEC interim lightweight belt was on the line, and in a 48-47 decision, Henderson won.
Then, the second time, the true WEC lightweight belt was on the line, and Cerrone got caught in a trademark Benson Henderson-standing guillotine choke.
However, since that time, Cerrone has won six in a row, with four finishes, and has established himself as a top lightweight.
Cerrone has learned from past mistakes, and in a third matchup with Henderson, Cerrone would know what to do.
With his high-level kickboxing and outstanding ground game to back that up, nothing is going to stop Donald Cerrone in 2012.
He will be the lightweight champion, and he will prove that the WEC lightweights are the real deal.
Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @tmt2393.
On December 30, one of the biggest matches in UFC history will take place, as former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will take on former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.This matchup has been talked about for quite some time, and…
On December 30, one of the biggest matches in UFC history will take place, as former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will take on former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.
This matchup has been talked about for quite some time, and now, it’s finally set to happen, with a shot at the heavyweight title on the line.
Here are five reasons why Brock Lesnar will demolish the Demolition Man.
There is a pretty good amount of of turnover in the UFC. Especially now with an entire generation of stars aging before our eyes, and Strikeforce slowly dripping its lifeblood into the Octagon like some huge IV bag, departures are a way of life. But th…
There is a pretty good amount of of turnover in the UFC. Especially now with an entire generation of stars aging before our eyes, and Strikeforce slowly dripping its lifeblood into the Octagon like some huge IV bag, departures are a way of life. But that’s the way it is. You’ve got to clear out the dead wood. Out with the old, in with the new.
Without further ado, here are the 10 fighters who appear likely to disappear from the UFC before long, be it by cut or retirement.
Jon Jones rightfully has a spot on the pound-for-pound rankings. The UFC light heavyweight champion made his second consecutive title defense following his submission victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140. It earned Jones his fifth straight w…
Jon Jones rightfully has a spot on the pound-for-pound rankings.
The UFC light heavyweight champion made his second consecutive title defense following his submission victory over Lyoto Machida at UFC 140. It earned Jones his fifth straight win inside the Octagon.
“Bones” has endured one of the most remarkable years in mixed martial arts history.
In fact, White places him directly behind reigning pound-for-pound king, Anderson Silva.
“(He’s) number two (in the world),” White said. “He’s literally walked through everybody. He fought four times this year, probably the nastiest schedule in the history of the company. He’s incredible, man.”
While White did stop short of ranking him above the UFC middleweight champion, he was very adamant of Jones’ accomplishments so far, indicating that the champion is well on his way to overtaking the Brazilian’s spot in the future.
“The guy is, I hate to talk too much about it…like nobody’s gonna hear this (laughs) … because he’s so young, you don’t wanna put that kind of stuff in a guy’s head who is that young but he’s walking through serious, serious guys and bustin’ ’em up bad,” he said.
“You don’t see somebody come in and wreck people like this.”
Donald Cerrone is 4-0 since joining the UFC, and in those four fights, he has finished three of his opponents, earned three different fight night awards, and has worked himself into contender position in the lightweight division.