Things to look for in 2013
If an MMA horoscope existed similar to that of the Chinese horoscope. 2012 would be the year of the Broken-legged Spider. It was a year plagued with injuries, cancellations and disappointments where many things that could go wrong, did. But for those very same reasons it was also filled with some amazing and memorable moments brought to us by late replacements and show-stealing undercard bouts.
2012 was the year the UFC proved that it can survive anything. Regardless of the obstacles in its way, the organization pushed forward with its hands up and chin down. With that said, let’s look to the horizon and see what sort of things we can all look forward to this 2013…
10-Fight Deal
Based on his demeanor and previous statements, I was under the impression right up until recently, that Anderson Silva planned on retiring relatively soon. That he had only a few big fights left in him, that he wanted to spend more time with his family and then exit the sport promptly. So consider me completely shocked when I heard Dana White recently claim that not only is Anderson Silva signing a multi-fight contract extension, but that he requested it be a 10 fight deal… WOW. Just let that soak in for a second.
That’s another 3-4 years of Anderson Silva fighting in the Octagon minimum. That’s another handful of title defenses for a 38 year old man, against the next wave of young, fresh, hungry, elite, competitors, and the very best the UFC has to offer. That now makes every single super-fight completely possible, and gives Anderson the potential to inter-dimensionally-epicly-mind-blowingly shatter every record and put them out of reach for any mortal man… I’M IN!!!
Womens Debut
I can’t tell you how proud and pumped I am for womens MMA this year. No seriously I can’t tell you it’s a secret. But I’ll tell you what I don’t like, prejudice in any form. Which is why I was irritated to hear Dana White claim that he had no interest in bringing a womens division to the UFC. Female fighters have been putting in the work, training their asses off and doing everything they can to draw attention to themselves and their fights. Hell I’d go as far to say that the average womens fight is more exciting than the average mens fight. Why? Because the women BRING IT. When those chicks step in the cage, it is on like girl-on-girl donkey kong. And that’s the bottom line cuz Sto – ok that’s enough I’l l stop.
With that said, look for the Rousey/Carmouche fight to be an amazing part of sports history and the very first in a long line of amazing events for women in the UFC and on PPV. ”TUF: Women” anyone? YES.
Super-Fight
Unless Lorenzo Fertitta wants to eat his words, the UFC needs to “strike while the iron is hot” and make this thing happen by the end of the year. One of these three champions WILL lose, it’s simply a matter of time. And when it does happen you better hope it isn’t Anderson Silva, because then you’ve just screwed yourself from both ends. If either GSP or Jon Jones loses you still have a very interesting and viable option. But it needs to happen soon, before Juan Manuel Marquez starts training in MMA and ruins everything all over again. Damn you Marquez! Speaking of Mexicans…
Mexico Event
“Aaaand NEW! Heavyweight champion of the woooorld!!” Were the only words we needed to hear last Saturday to know that an epic sized UFC event in Mexico is more than likely happening this year. With the amount of interest Mexicans have in combat sports and the amount of quality fighters they’ve provided the sport of boxing, it’s amazing to think that of all the smaller/farther markets the UFC has held events – Sweden, Australia, Abu Dhabi, Ireland, Germany, etc – Their close neighbors to the south have not yet been one of them. You can expect that to change however. If all the legal ramifications and politics can be dealt with, I anticipate a massive event in Mexico City by the end of the year, with a pumped up Cain Velasquez ready to defend his belt and bring some brown pride to that ugly tattoo on his chest.
(Which is by far not the worst. That title goes to Brock Lesnar, with his oddly-chosen, hideous and mis-proportioned sword, resembling a really bad drawing of an object too close to his mouth that rhymes with Venus.)
Madison Square Garden
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the UFC’s existence since its debut in Denver, Colorado on November 12th of ‘93, and if Dana White’s ambitions pull through, it could be a monumental milestone in more ways than one. With all sorts of obstacles stemming primarily from political issues , it’ll be a challenge to finally get this thing done in New York and hold an event at the prestigious Madison Square Garden Arena. Dana’s been hinting at having a specific fight in mind for this event, so when it does happen – because it will – we can all expect a solid card and the first of many great events in the state of New York.
That’s it for my list! Hope you enjoyed it. Let us know what you’re looking forward to in the comments below.
