Features
15/01/10 - 2010 for the UFC champions?
The current UFC title holders - Penn, St. Pierre, Silva, Machida and Lesnar - were obviously all dominant in 2009.
Each raised the bar to an incredibly high level and many would put good money on them all keeping their belts throughout 2010.
However, as we start the next year of fighting each face very different challenges - some not just against other fighters (in the case of Brock Lesnar).
BJ Penn:
Although last year started off with the most comprehensive defeat of his career - against GSP at welterweight - the Hawaiian ended 2009 as the undisputed king of the lightweights with dominating showings over Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez.
These last two victories - and the style in which they were achieved - left the MMA world wondering if anyone can even get near "The Prodigy" at lightweight.
Frank Edgar looks to be the next to challenge Penn in April. Although Edgar is no pushover, Penn, as ever at lightweight, will be the resounding favourite. Dana White has also frequently thrown Gray Maynard's name into the mix as a possible opponent for the Hawaiian.
The arrival of Takanori Gomi to the UFC certainly raised a few eyebrows. However he will have to prove himself against tough opposition before he can even be mentioned as a viable contender for Penn.
With the number two ranked lightweight in the world Shinya Aoki unlikely to join the UFC in the near future, smart money would be on Penn continuing to hold the lightweight belt 12 months from now. Of course if he gets bored at lightweight and seeks a welterweight challenge... then that's another story all together.
George St. Pierre:
Like his rival Penn, GSP has seemingly cleaned out his division and is odds on to remain undefeated at welterweight throughout 2010.
He faces England's Dan Hardy in April - a match-up where he will again be an overwhelming favourite.
Other than rematches another Brit, the explosive Paul Daley, may well provide an interesting challenge in the future. However, despite two impressive showings, ‘Semtex' will have to prove himself against a strong wrestler before any thoughts of taking on the 2009 ‘Fighter of the Year'.
GSP verses Anderson Silva is the dream UFC match-up in most fan's eyes. However GSP has never really said anything to suggest that this fantasy fight could become a reality.
Anderson Silva:
Unlike Penn or GSP "The Spider" is faced with a marquee named challenger and perhaps a genuine threat to his title - in the shape of fellow Brazilian Vitor Belfort.
For perhaps the first time in the UFC Silva faces a fighter with genuine striking pedigree and, like the middleweight champion, Belfort has a top notch ground game to boot.
While Silva obviously remains the favourite Belfort will certainly provide him with a long overdue test. The match-up has all the makings of a classic.
Following this match-up who knows what's in store for Silva. He may well want to test himself again at light heavyweight... or even switch sports and square off against Roy Jones Jr!
Lyoto Machida:
This might well be the year that defines Machida's legacy in MMA. For so long he was seen as untouchable in the octagon until his battle with fellow Brazilian Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 104.
His fiercely contested decision win led to large dent in his invincible aura and also (perhaps unfairly) he lost a number of fans.
If Machida puts on a commanding, winning, performance against Rua in the imposed rematch it will go a long way to restoring his previous standing.
Of course this is easier said than done with Rua more than capable of coming out on top.
If Machida prevails over Rua though, there are a host of top fighters who each present a dangerous challenge for Machida in the octagon.
The returning Quinton Jackson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Jon Jones to name just a few.
Brock Lesnar:
First and foremost the mammoth wrestler must defeat the mononucleosis infection which will have forced him out of action for the best part of six months.
How much this illness has taken out of Lesnar will be there for all to see when he hopefully returns to action.
Lesnar has only fought four times in the octagon so once fit he obviously has a long line of challengers to face in the next few years.
He has still to face a dangerous striker so out of the present crop of UFC heavyweights - perhaps Junior Dos Santos is his most intriguing opponent.
Matt Hyde
Attachments:
- There are no attachments for this article
