Breakout Star of the Year 2011: The UFC!

Being a breakout star has as much to do with the future as it does with the past; they don’t just succeed, but set themselves up for even greater triumph to come. Take Jon Jone’s in his breakout year (2010) for example. It was truly impressive but it paled in comparison to his 2011 accomplishments. The UFC finds itself in a similar position. They debut on FOX but the primetime contract is crucial to the sport’s growth. They returned to Brazil and are now positioned for multiple, larger shows and a Brazilian TUF season. In 2011 a Japanese show was just a bold Dana White promise; in 2012 it will be reality. Buying Strikefrorce was big but 2012 will see most of its biggest stars under the UFC banner. Love it or hate it the future of the sport lies in the UFC’s success/failure and with 2011 being a breakout year the future is bright.