MMA Access: The Top 5 – Who Stands To Gain or Lose More in 2013?
By Christopher ‘sLapDatSuCKa’ Jester
2012 is almost over, and 2013 already has a lot to offer mixed martial arts fans.
2012 was a big year for MMA but primarily more so for the UFC than anyone else as they were able to bolster the Fox deal to near full potential with great fight cards. As 2013 looms, there are several individuals and entities who have a lot at stake if things don’t pan out the way they or the fans have envision it.
Promised super-fights aside, there are other entities/individuals that have a lot riding on whether they are successful or not. Women’s MMA plans to make a huge splash next year. One woman has the weight of an entire division on her shoulders, and hundreds of fighters from a failed company now have to make cement their place in the rankings.
This list is a look at who stands to make the biggest splash in the 2013 or who could be destined to fail.
5. Women’s MMA
Women’s MMA has never been more popular, and it has the possibility of being even more popular before the end of 2013 if all goes well. This is a great time to be a part of the sport if you’re looking for a change as Women’s MMA is about to take off. Not only are women now a part of the biggest mixed martial arts organization in the world (the UFC), but the first North American female-only MMA organization (Invicta FC) is taking the big step of going into online pay-per-views.
Most of Women’s MMA mainstream success will come from whether they can make it as a precious commodity within the UFC. Lighter weight classes has already struggled in the organization, but including women into the mix may make things a bit more difficult to grasp. Blood thirsty MMA fans may not be too thrilled to see women pound on each other. But often times it is that sort of ignorance that becomes the driving force for success. Fans of Women’s MMA already know that a women in the sport is just as tough as the males and just as skilled; they are just more limited. If Women’s MMA becomes popular in the UFC, then likely the doors will open for increased media coverage of the women and thus increase the women’s popularity.
Invicta FC on the other hand has a lot riding on their decision from switching to free events to online pay-per-views. Most of their popularity came from the offering of free events. Free events aside, however, the organization does have some of the best women in the sport. So, their choices and decisions will either hinder Women’s MMA or make it more profound. Invicta has all the tools to make Women’s MMA a bigger sport, but making the step to go into pay-per-views could ruin the potential chance they had. With the UFC offering women fights, Invicta could have easily still offered free fights as a way of showcasing their fighters more. In any case, Invicta FC and Women’s MMA has a lot to look forward to in 2013.
4. Chris Weidman
Besides possibly Chael Sonnen, no man has talked more game as to why he should be the one to fight UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. After beating Mark Munoz earlier in 2012, Weidman has campaigned himself as THE challenger for Silva’s title. He has so much belief in this that he has won over the fans into believing this as well. Needless to say, 2013 will make or break that campaign.
After building himself up for most of the year as the man who can beat Anderson Silva, Chris Weidman was meant to make his case clear when battling Tim Boetsch at UFC’s year-ending event UFC 155. However, an injury sidelined him from the fight, but only postponing the bout that justifies his touts. Chris Weidman has a ton of steam behind him, and his next fight will determine if he is ready for the big time. Whether through self-promotion or the fans recanting his words, Weidman truly believes he is the man to beat Silva. So much has been said that people actually are jumping on this bandwagon. It is because of this that he has so much to gain or to lose in 2013.
His hype train will be derailed though if he was to lose a fight leading up to the wanted title shot. So much of the air under his wings would deflate and any sort of title aspirations would cease and his street cread would take a lot of flak. However, if he continues to show the talent he has showcased thus far, no other UFC fighter will have as much potential to be a threat in his or her weight division. 2013 will mark a pivotal year for Weidman if he can stay healthy and successful.
3. The Strikeforce Fighters
January 12, 2013 will mark the final event for Strikeforce, and with its closure comes a slew of fighters looking for a new place to call home. It is unconfirmed if all of Strikeforce’s roster will be absorbed into the UFC, or if some fighters will have to find a place elsewhere in other organizations, but it stands to say that they will have to make some noise if want to stay relevant in this sport.
For the fighters heading to the UFC, they have to make sure they make a statement that says that they are just as worthy to be in this organization as the UFC vets are. Fighters like Daniel Cormier and Nate Marquadt will likely find success in their respective divisions. Other champions like Luke Rockhold and Gilbert Melendez will have much more pressure to carry as they have longed to show why they should have already been in the UFC.
Those who may not find themselves heading to the UFC should aim to build themselves back up to show the UFC that they made a mistake passing them up. Most of the concern will lie on those guys and girls whose fights weren’t in the spotlight while under the bright lights of Strikeforce. Finding a place in Bellator will serve their careers, but landing anywhere else may be detrimental to their growth; particularly if they cannot boost their resumes with W’s. Strikeforce fighters have a lot cut out for them, but doing so will help their career substantially.
2. Ronda Rousey
No one has more weight on their shoulders heading into 2013 than Ronda Rousey. Seriously, a whole division stands on her shoulders. The UFC and Dana White has built a whole division around one woman. That makes the chances of Women’s MMA success a 50-50 chance, or better yet an armbar victory from Ronda Rousey.
Don’t let it be mistaken though, Ronda Rousey has all the potential in the world to be a major star and to find much success in the UFC. The amount of women fighters is limited. So, the UFC will be able to handpick fighters for Ronda Rousey. Let’s not take away that Rousey is extremely talented and appears to be only getting better. However, there are two fights that most fans will be interested right now. The first one, a rematch against Miesha Tate. Although Rousey nearly left Tate’s arm inoperable, most can assume she won’t fall to that armbar as easily and quickly the next time around. The second fight everyone wants to see is a match against Cristiane Santos or better known as Cris Cyborg. This fight will legitimize Rousey’s career as she will be the toughest opponent she has faced. Cyborg has the punching power of a man and has only lost once. Rousey’s biggest criticism is her apparent lack of striking skills. Although, she hasn’t needed it so far as she has arm-barred all of her opponents within the first round in all of her fights.
In order to see if the experiment of making Ronda Rousey the first UFC Women’s Champion will work, she must pass her first test on February 23, 2013 at UFC 157 when she faces Liz Carmouche. A lot is riding on this fight. If she wins, then the UFC will feel justified in their decision. If not, they will likely start biting their fingernails on what will happen next. Rousey IS the UFC Women’s division. Without her, can it find success?
1. Bellator
Bellator will finally make its debut on Spike TV on January 17, 2013. This is a huge move for the up-and-coming company as they take over the former home of the UFC. Now the true battle will ensue between the UFC and Bellator as they will now truly begin to fight for ratings.
Bellator has made a name for itself over the past couple of years, primarily for its format. The fighters that they have also should take some of the credit. But Bellator now has an opportunity to take advantage of the landscape. Truthfully, Bellator has nothing but everything to gain in this relationship with Spike TV. They will be on basic cable in a good timeslot.
The only pitfall is curious and head shaking mistakes that they have committed over the past couple of weeks. Whether it is fighters not being able to compete because of their age, fighters getting into legal trouble, injuries or fighters getting sick before the main event. These sort of mistakes/unfortunate circumstances cannot become the norm if they are to succeed.
However, for a company that wants to continue to rise, this deal could not be more beneficial to them. Being on basic cable and not on MTV2, Bellator has a chance at a bright future in 2013.
Honorable Mention:
Frankie Edgar – Edgar’s career and place in any mixed martial arts division will be in jeopardy if he loses his fight against Jose Aldo. With a two-fight skid already, Edgar could be on a 3-fight losing streak at the beginning of 2013. Edgar may be figuratively stuck between a rock and a hard place if his bid for the UFC Featherweight title fails. But he could also become the first ever Three-Weight Class Champion.
The UFC Flyweight Division – Even after the five around actioner of the first UFC flyweight championship, the flyweight division still has not received the credit they deserve. Whether it is because it is two smaller fighters scrapping or the lack of knockouts, the flyweight division has had a rough outing since its initiation. 2013 should mark just how the UFC will handle this dire situation and its chance of success.
Follow Christopher “sLapDatSuCKa” Jester on Twitter @sLapDatSuCka
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