Division Breakdown

The UFC has picked up two new divisions going into 2011 and MMA in general is always morphing, changing the look of each division month to month. Here I break down what is important to know in each division both in and out of the UFC for American MMA fans.

Bantamweight (135 lbs)

Dominick Cruz is the current king of the 135 pound fighters, no large feet (wa wa wa) for the 17-1 fighter riding an 8 fight win streak. He has all but secured himself a dominant position over the division defeating 3 of the commonly top 5 ranked contenders in the divisionin his last three fights. The only blemish on his record came at the hands of Urijah Faber and a rematch is likely to come within the year. Additionally Miguel Torres, once thought to be a pound for pound rated fighter looms as a contender for the belt he once held. Both bring name recognition to a title just now grabbing the attention of casual MMA fans.The dark horse in the race is “Kid” Yamamoto. Hardcore MMA fans will tell you they have been waiting years to see Yamamoto come to the United States although enthusiasm tapered off when he went 0-2 in 2009 after no fights in 2008. Some enthusiasm still carries over from his dominant run from 2003-2007. The UFC signed “Kid” to fight top 10 ranked Demetrious Johnson in a fight paramount for positioning in the division.

Featherweight (145 lbs)

Jose Aldo (pictured) is to the Featherweight division what GSP and Anderson Silva are to the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions respectively. Aldo has demolished virtually everyone in his path, more often than not making grown men and trained fighters look as awkward and ridiculous as middle-schoolers at their first dance. The division is not without its challenges though. We will likely see ma UFC lightweights drop down to 145 lbs now that they can remain with the company. Additionally guys like Tiequan Zhang, Nam Phan, Diego Nunes, and Dustin Poirier are hot young prospects looking to work their way up to a title shot while Mark Hominick is one win away from just that. This might be one of the most stacked divisions outside the UFC with Joe Warren (a great wrestler with one lose on his record), Marion Sandro (a KO artist with a tendency to do quick work), and Hatsu Hioki (a streaking Japanese submission fighter) all holding top 10 rankings by most sources worth their salt. This is a division I fully expect to take off in 2011. The combination of excitement and youth makes for entertaining MMA and Jose Aldo is good enough to become a household name. The onus may now be on Zuffa to collect as much talent as possible under the UFC banner.

Lightweight (155 lbs)

I could type 10 pages and not really cover the complexity of this division right now but herewe go nonetheless. Frankie Edger and Grey Maynard (both pictured) are going to try to figure out who the betterman is this year as Maynard has a win over the champion that is a few years in the book now and a draw in their last title fight. However, I question how much might really be proven if Edger can pull a victory in the next fight considering that would make them 1-1-1. No matter h it shakes out they are top tier fighters and it will be a pleasure to see them compete again. Waiting in the wings we find a slew of talent. From up and coming contenders like the relentless George Sotiropoulos, kickboxing bulldog Dennis Siver (who square off next month), well rounded Evan Dunham, and hyperactive Clay Guida to perennial contenders like Kenny Florian and Sean Sherk, there will be no shortage of contenders in 2011. However, It is Anthony Pettis that captures the imagination with his movie style striking. Once promised a shot at the title, he will likely fight Clay Guida while Maynard and Edgar settle their score. Outside the UFC Gilbert Melendez continues to establish himself as one of the top three Lightweights in the world. Never say never with UFC contracts, but this does not look to be the year we see him jump ship to Zuffa. One has to wonder how long it will be at this rate.. Eddie Alvarez represents his only remaining ranked competition not under Zuffa contract. His well-rounded skill set could present a fun style clash with the supreme, dynamic wrestling of Melendez.

Welterweight (170 lbs)

I don’t need to tell you that Georges St. Pierre is amazing. The only thing regarding the king of all men weighing 170 pounds or less is to keep an eye on is weather he tries to put another 15 pounds under his reign. The possibility exists hat he might move up to 185 pounds, and in turn likely abandon his belt. This would open the door for Jon Fitch (pictured) to finally win the championship, assuming he gets past BJ Penn in February. I mention Fitch because he has been far and away the best Welterweight not to have his name shortened to three letters over the past 4-5 years.

GSP has cleared most of the top 10 in the division (including Fitch) during his run and will have a chance to add Jake Sheilds to the list in April. Shields is one of only two men left in the weight class that provides an intriguing match-up at this time, Carlos Condit being the other. The division is stacked with talent and there is no telling who is going to make big strides in their game or have a breakout year in 2011. Keep an eye on perennial mid-level fighters Martin Kampmann and Diego Sanchez (fighting March 3^rd) as well as up and comers such as John Hathaway and Jake Ellenberger. Outside the UFC, Nick Diaz seems to be the only fighter really making waves however Cung Le, Scott Smith, and Paul Daley are always entertaining and always dangerous.

Middleweight (185 lbs)

I guess in retrospect well all owe Anderson Silva a lot of gratitude. He did save us from having a champion in Chael Sonnen who tested positive for steroids (although that is pretty convoluted) and is now being charged with money laundering, facing potential jail time. Silva meets another stiff test in Vitor Belfort in just over two weeks. If you weren’t planning on tuning into that one, change your plans. Yushin Okami finds himself waiting again for his title shot. The Japanese fighter was the last person to beat Silva (via DQ) and has developed in leaps and bounds over the last year. All the while GSP threatens to step in front of him if the trigger is pulled on the aforementioned pound-for-pound super-fight. Fighter like Dan Miller, Nate Marquardt, Damien Maia, Rousimar Palhares,Wanderlei Silva, Jorge River, Alessio Sakara, Brian Stann, Chris Leben, Michael Bisping, Alan Belcher, and Yoshihiro Akiyama are all a few wins away but should fill 2011 with entertaining, worthwhile fights at 185 pounds. Keep an eye on Maiquel Falcao (pictured), a dynamic striker with a well-versed ground game. If he can get and stay healthy Falcao could be the next great prospect in the division. Outside the UFC we find plenty of talent in the form of veteran and Silva victim Dan Henderson, Strikeforce MW Champion Ronaldo Souza (check him out Jan. 29^th), and Sengoku MW Champion Jorge Santiago. Keep an eye out for these fighters, especially if one can have a strong 2011 campaign and catches Dana Whites eye.

Light-Heavyweight (205 lbs)

Having long been the most stacked in MMA, the Light-Heavyweight division still include many of the sports most talented and exciting fighters. The weight-class is reigned over by Maricio Shogun Rua (pictured) who epitomizes what 205 pound fighting is all about, excitement, technique, and dynamism. The only catch with Rua is that he cannot stay healthy, currently recovering from yet another knee surgery. The next few months will see most of the top fighters in the division in action. Rashad Evans is in line for a shot at the title in March. In February, Ryan Bader and Jon Jones will square off to find out who the top blue-chip prospect in the division really is while veterans Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin attempt to gain their own momentum towards a title shot. Meanwhile, Thiago Silva and Rampage Jackson will look to continue their own momentum this year when they meet in late May, both coming off important rebound victories. Let us not forget Lyoto Machida, who despite riding a two fight losing streak, remains a serious threat for anyone in the division. As far as future contenders keep an eye on Phil Davis, an exceptionally athletic young fighter that improves every time we see him. His next test will be his biggest as he fights fan favorite Matt Hamill. Outside the UFC Dan Henderson returns to 205 pounds to try and claim the title in Strikeforce, a division filled with talent that lost a bit of its luster in 2010. Moussassi looked like world-beater until he lost to King Mo Lawler who turned around lost to Cavalcante. All three fighters are serious contenders in Strikeforce but one of them must establish himself above the rest to gain recognition in this overcrowded weight class.

Heavyweight (260 lbs)

Cain Velasquez (pictured) shocked the world when he decimated Brock Lesnar. Well he shocked a lot of casual fans. Most hardcore fight fans, fighters and serious pundits were unmoved, if not expecting the result. The important thing is that Velasquez has ascended to the top of the division and Brock Lesnar suffered the most significant lose of his career. Brock will meet world-class striker Junior Dos Santos after the two finish coaching The Ultimate Fighter season 13 and the winner will presumably get a title shot. Fighters like former champion Frank Mir, round but dangerous Roy Nelson, hulk like (green but powerful) Shane Carwin, and the legendary Big Nog will attempt to jockey for position as prospects such as Matt Mitrione, Pat Barry, Joey Beltran, Travis Brown, Brendan Schaub, and Stephan Struve all try to prove they are ready to take their crack at winning the title. Keep an eye on Roy Nelson, who sits at the periphery of contenders right now. A win over Frank Mir could elevate the portly fighter and I think he can beat anyone in the division not named Junior or Cain. Outside the UFC Strikeforce is going to be conducting a Heavyweight Tournament, which should provide great entertainment all year if it is completed. The tournament features Fedor Emelianenko (former pound for pound hero), Antonio Silva (massive submission and boxing fighter), Sergei Kharitonov (dangerous Russian KO specialist), Andrei Arlovski (former UFC champion), Alistair Overeem (current Strikeforce champion), Fabricio Werdum (“that guy that beat Fedor” and gifted Brazilian heavyweight), Josh Barnett (Former UFC champion and Pride legend), and Brett Rogers (a powerful dude that use to win a lot and now he doesn’t win as much). The tournament looks fantastic on paper and the winner will come away smelling like roses but Strikeforce and M-1 (a company run by Russians with alleged connections to organized crime that handles Fedor’s management) have a history of snags. I hope it goes off without a hitch because this tournament offers up lots of great first round match-ups and the potential for more excitement in the subsequent rounds as well.

I have unfortunately had to leave the Flyweight division and the various women’s division out of this discussion because I am simply not knowledgable enough about them to make much of a comment. I will say that I hope both divisions gain more recognition this year, particularly the womens division that has its only dominant champion in Christiane “Cyborg” Santos (pictured), honestly one of the most devastating fighters I have ever seen regardless of gender. I am currently starting a fund raiser to pay the entire cast of Jersey Shore to be taken out one by one at the hands of Cyborg. E-mail me for further info.

This year is shaping up to be one to remember already. We have months of fantastic fights already scheduled, great potential fights on the horizon, and the unpredictability of this sport will constantly keep things moving. Enjoy 2011, the year of expansion in MMA.