The sport of mixed martial arts has constantly grown and evolved over the past 16 years. For years there were debates over who were the best between Pride and UFC. While that still exists to some extent with Fedor, the current mixed martial arts landscape finds the majority of the top-level fighters in the world fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. There has not been a title change in the UFC since Lyoto Machida knocked out Rashad Evans at UFC 98.
Since January 1st, 2009 there has been exactly one title change. We are currently in a day and age where many fans see BJ Penn, Georges St. Pierre, and Anderson Silva as the most dominant fighters in their respective weight classes. They have seemingly faced all challenges and with each one we are left to wonder if the next challenger even has a chance. Their dominance in recent fights has lead fans to ask how they would do at a higher weight class instead of who the next title challenger might be. Anderson Silva has already proven that he can win in dominant fashion at light heavyweight and there have even been discussions about him accepting a fight at heavyweight.
This doesn't address the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions though. Many viewed Machida as one of those unstoppable fighters until he faced off against “Shogun” Rua. That rematch should give us the next legit opportunity at a title change. Brock Lesnar currently is the UFC Heavyweight Champion in what has to be considered the most fascinating and wide open of all the weight classes. There are many questions regarding Lesnar’s ability to return from his sickness and find the form he had before.
I am going to turn my focus back to BJ Penn, GSP, and Anderson Silva. I started thinking about it the other day and wondered when was the last time I felt like one of these guys could legitimately lose their title. As an avid BJ Penn fan I would like to say it was GSP vs. BJ II, but the reality is that I made a reasonable size bet on GSP in that fight. Each of these fighters have fights in the next month against guys that are all ranked in the top 7 of their respective weight classes and have earned their title shot.
The problem is that when I look at the matchups I feel like I already know who is going to win. This is a title fight, and is supposed to be the highest level mixed martial arts in the world and it’s seemingly a continual lopsided battle. This is not to take away from their opponents as they are very strong opposition who earned their title shots, but rather it highlights the skill level that BJ, GSP, and Anderson are on. My first thought was that the dominant champs are taking something away from the matchups and even leading me to wonder if the dominant champions are boring. Not boring in their styles or their skill, but boring in the fact no one is on the same competitive level.
It took me about three seconds to realize I was out of my mind and that dominant champions are going to help create some of the most memorable moments of the upcoming decade. Imagine if BJ Penn doesn’t lose a fight in 2010 or 2011 while defending his belt 4 times and possible taking a welterweight bout. In February of 2012 someone is able to break through and defeat BJ Penn. That will likely be a moment none of us would soon forget. The talk of the mixed martial arts world for the next several months leading into the new champion’s next fight would be off the charts. This is not even taking into account how big the rematch could be down the road.
Any fighter that is able to defeat BJ Penn, GSP, or Anderson Silva will quickly become recognized alongside the best in the world. While we certainly view Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Mauricio Rua, and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as some of the best fighters in the world at light-heavyweight, we rarely hear them mentioned as the world’s best 3 or 4 fighters due to the fluid title situation in the division. Having a dominant champion may not always seem like the most exciting thing during some of their lopsided victories, but if you keep the big picture in perspective and appreciate the level they are fighting at then it will lead to some of mixed martial arts defining moments.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good beat down as much as the next guy, but I honestly don't see anyone beating BJ, GSP and A Silva at their current weight classes. Certainly not in 2 years time anyway. And that makes those title pictures a little boring to me. Those 3 are as close to the perfect fighter as you are ever going to get, along with Fedor.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in 2012, I think each of them will be looking to, or will have already, moved up in weight class. BJ has never been quiet about his desire to move up, GSP appears to be getting bigger and bigger, and AS is always looking to move up. The only reason AS isn't there now is because Machida is the champ. Should Shogun beat Machida, I think AS will move up perminantly.
LW, WW and MW title pictures have become uncompetitive due to the dominance of their champions. Whenever I watch them fight, I pretty much already know who is going to win, which takes away a little bit of the excitement. At least for me anyway.
Thats kinda the thoughts I had. And the point is kinda all moot if they move up in weight classes. Even though, I have to imagine when one of those fighters lose to anyone (outside of each other) its going to be a very big deal.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a huge deal, especially the inevitable rematch as you said. But of the 3 champions, I think GSP is the most likely to lose at his current weight class.
ReplyDeleteThe only weakness BJ has is his wrestling, which at 155 is moot since he is bigger than everyone else, stronger than everyone else, and more powerful than anyone else. This, of course, is not even taking into account his jits, which is on another level. Striking wise, he is probably the best boxer and has the most powerful hands. The fact is, Maynard is probably the best stylistically to match up against him, but even then, BJ is too big and strong for him.
AS is second to none in the striking department, so you have to look at amazing wrestlers or amazing jits guys. I have long thought Demian Maia has the best chance to beat him, but AS is going to be too big for him. Also, the whole idea that a jits guy would even stand a chance with AS is based on the fact that AS's jits hasn't been tested. He is so good in the stand up, we never see his jits. I thought Hendo could have given him a run for his money had he fought smart and used his wrestling, but he didn't. Sonnen is undoubtedly the best wrestler AS is likely to fight in the near future, but the guy has very little sub defence. AS is a black belt under Nog, so it is likely his jits is solid.
Now, that leaves GSP. He is amazing at everything, as he has shown. His one weakness, which is based on 1 fight, is that his chin isn't the best. Serra is extremely heavy handed, so it may not be a knock on GSP's chin, but more on the fact that GSP just simply got caught. Since that fight, he has reverted to his wrestling which he uses to smother his opponents. I just don't see anyone beating him either.
The fact is that all 3 of them are too big and too good for the people at their current weight classes. But I really do hope that I am wrong, since I really like all 3 of the current challengers
I actuallly would love to see BJ naturally gain some weight and go to 170 with his current training regime. As BJ's biggest fan I dont wanna see him vs GSP again, at least until he had 2 or 3 top level WW wins.
ReplyDeleteBut anyone in their right mind who would not want to see BJ Penn vs Thiago Alves or BJ Penn vs Josh Koscheck is crazy.
BJ vs Alves and BJ vs Koscheck would both be awesome, but I would prefer BJ vs Serra. That fight would be the tits.
ReplyDeleteIf BJ did gain the weight naturally instead of going up bloated, then I think he would be amazing at WW. And he would likely beat most of the top WW's. But when he is up there bloated, he has no gas tank, and I think that a bloated BJ loses to most of the top WW's.