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Earlier in the year, I wrote a column previewing 2011 with some predictions. As the year winds down, I'll now take a look at those predictions and see if I was right, becoming some sort of MMA prophet, or maybe a guy who just got lucky...
Prediction #1: Frankie Edgar will Still be Champion at the end of 2011
Truth: Frankie Edgar had a great year consisting of two great fights, even though his opponent was the same both times. People figured that a fighter of Gray Maynard's caliber would be the sort of fighter who would be able to defeat Edgar and take the championship away from him. Those people were wrong. Twice. Edgar and Maynard may have fought to a draw the first time, but the second time left no doubt that Edgar was the clear undisputed champion.
Prediction #2: Strikeforce succeeds with Heavyweight tournament but...
Truth: As evidenced of what happened in the second quarter of the year, Strikeforce was bought out by the parent company of the UFC, Zuffa, essentially making it the little sister of the UFC, as WEC was to it at one time. As for the tournament, it had its ups and downs, and great fights, but with the withdrawal controversy with Alistair Overeem leaving the tournament and subsequently signing with the UFC, the tournament is still unfinished. With Josh Barnett waiting to face Daniel Cormier in the finals, it almost seems like a moot point to even continue on with this tournament if the inevitable shutdown/consolidation of Strikeforce within the UFC becomes fact sooner rather than later. It had a good run, but like most organizations that step up and compete with the UFC, Strikeforce just couldn't find a profitable niche to settle into.
Prediction #3: Bellator will surpass Strikeforce as the #2 Organization
Truth: With the acquisition of Strikeforce by Zuffa, Bellator became the default number two organization, but rightfully so on its own as it has proven itself a viable source of great matchups that bring the caliber of fighting that fans crave. The tournament also fits Bellator as it helps build up unknown fighters in a shorter period of time than if they fought in the UFC for a couple of years. Whether Bellator can sustain this holding pattern or not, there really is no one else that seems to be close to their level. With the Viacom purchase, expect Bellator to be in the picture as the number two organization in MMA.
Now for the one out of four predictions that DID NOT come to fruition...
Prediction #4: Anderson Silva will face off against Georges St. Pierre
Truth: Many of us thought this fight was going to happen this year, but alas it did not. With the acquisition of Strikeforce, fighters such as Nick Diaz were able to come into the UFC as a new challenge for Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, and Yushin Okami and Vitor Belfort both got their fights against Anderson Silva, yet both lost in predictable (yet exciting) fashion. GSP and Silva both have the first half of 2012 booked, with GSP against Nick Diaz and Silva nursing an injury that is expected to keep him out until the summer. I predicted that one of these fighters would also not have championship gold, but alas, they both kept their championships.
Three out of four isn't bad. Next week, I will be back with my predictions for 2012. Please feel free to follow me on Twitter @anwarsajperez and drop me a line or opinion on my columns.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/pereztake/article_11502.shtml
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