What I Want for MMA in 2009

by Mike Fagan on Nov 27, 2008 7:19 PM EST in News Comment 19 comments

Thanksgiving marks the start towards the final push towards Christmas and the New Year. In my family Thanksgiving doubles as the deadline to get my Christmas list in to my grandmother. So with that in mind, here's five things I hope to see in the MMA universe this coming year.

1. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brock Lesnar - OK, so this one may already be wrapped up in a nice little bow for me, but I think this could be an absolutely epic heavyweight matchup. Can Nogueira, known for his ability to withstand sustained punishment, outlast the 275 pound monster and lock on one of his famed submissions? How far has Brock Lesnar progressed on the ground? It's the wily vet up against the explosive, powerful newcomer in a fight with layers of stories.

2. The UFC on network TV - I agree with Dana White that the UFC shouldn't enter into a network TV contract if it doesn't fit their needs. The company is quite healthy enough with the Spike/PPV model. Still, as a fan, having the sport's biggest company on the biggest national stage will be a monumental event. A network deal, in my opinion, would cement the sport's ascension into the mainstream.

3. Female MMA in the UFC - With the news that Dana White changed his mind and would considering putting on female fights in the Zuffa-controlled WEC, it's only increased my hunger to see women fighting on the big show. Gina Carano and others have the opportunity to become huge stars if given the opportunity. And unlike most sports, a woman's fight has every bit the potential to be as exciting as their male counterparts.

4. Anderson Silva in meaningful fights - I know he has to defend his title. I know he wants to fight every two or three months. And I know Yushin Okami injured himself training for a potential bout with Silva. That said, I don't want to see him fighting the James Irvins and Patrick Cotes of the world in 2008. Have him fight Mike Bisping, bring in Matt Lindland, or move him up to 205 for good. Just make sure he's being put into high-profile, big money fights in 2009.

5. A healthy Japanese MMA scene - Dream and World Victory Road have both put on increasingly entertaining shows in 2008, but recently we've only heard doom and gloom stories about the status of Japanese's twin MMA heads. WVR needs the financial backing of Japanese conglomerate Don Quijote, who may or may not pull out of their deal. Dream, an extension of K-1's former Hero's show, has been plagued by poor television ratings. With the graveyward of American MMA promotions growing every month, it's important that fighters outside of the UFC have a place to make money even if it's across the waters.

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6. Fedor fight meaningful fights.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Nov 27, 2008 7:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

5 ufc fights that i would like to c for the 09 season:
1.nogueria vs brock lesnar
2.bj penn vs kenny florian
3.gsp vs anderson silva
4.thiago alves vs diego sanchez
5.thiago silva vs rashad evans

by DeMo Spinning back fist on Nov 27, 2008 8:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

1. More Masatoshi Abe.

by ilostmydog on Nov 27, 2008 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

1. BJ Penn vs Anderson Silva

After BJ beats GSP, of course.

by dualdiagnosis on Nov 27, 2008 9:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My MMA wish-list for 2008:

1. Lyoto Machida, Thiago Alves, Yushin Okami and Kenny Florian getting the title shots they deserve. “Super fights” are great and all, but contenders being put on hold and champions holding the title for months (years?) with only one defense is ridiculous. Along those lines, Strikeforce seems content to not let their champ Cung Le face anyone- contender or not. I’m sure Misaki and Santiago wouldn’t mind a crack at him. I think it’s time Barnett got his shot at the WAMMA belt too.

2. Sengoku on HDNet. They started out rocky but turned out to be a solid and interesting new organization.

3. The triumphant comebacks of Shogun, Arona, Sudo, Cro Cop, Kang, and Karo.

4. Hughes and Serra both manage to lose and retire. Sakuraba’s retirement would be nice too, preferably after he honors his ancestors by crippling Takada.

5. Shields, Diaz, Lawler, Silva, Khalidov, Reis, Radach and the rest of the top EliteXC talent find good homes. Eddie Alvarez going to some podunk EC or Bellator or whatever makes my stomach turn.

by George Lucas on Nov 27, 2008 9:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

off topic heads up

people on the ug are reporting soko has been cut from the UFC.

by banter on Nov 27, 2008 10:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

LINK

http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=forum_framed.posts&forum=1&thread=1378834&page=1

by banter on Nov 27, 2008 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Would love to see a fanpost about this banter

This deserves more attention than getting buried in an (admittedly interesting) thread about wishlists. Put up a fanpost and maybe it’ll get frontpaged so it can be discussed in its own thread.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Nov 27, 2008 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

way too many..........

beers today…………. :)

by banter on Nov 27, 2008 11:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

More here

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/11/27/rameau-thierry-sokoudjou-released-by-the-ufc/

November 27, 2008 by Sam Caplan

Light heavyweight competitor Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou can be added to the list of fighters recently released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com first became aware of Sokoudjou having been dropped from the UFC roster last week but could not find a second source for verification. However, published reports have surfaced on the Internet today confirming his release……….

by dualdiagnosis on Nov 27, 2008 10:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He might have potential, but he was extremely underwhelming. It’s not much of a loss considering how crowded LHW is with challengers right now.

by bigweeze on Nov 27, 2008 10:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You may wish to retitle ...

…what I want from the UFC in 2009. I think any editor would agree. Say what you mean brother.

Wags

by DocWagner on Nov 27, 2008 10:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

5. A healthy Japanese MMA scene

Yes, UFC is a big part of MMA, but 1/5th of Fagan’s post is about Japanese orgs, not to mention that his No. 3 is about the WEC (which is still separate, if connected). Plus, he’s also inviting others to offer ideas and doesn’t want to limit them.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Nov 27, 2008 11:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What I want more than anything for 2009 is a healthy Japanese MMA scene. The excellent calibur of non-UFC fights that Dream and World Victory Road provided in 2008 was really fun to watch. In general, the look and feel of how Japanese MMA is presented is a breath of fresh air. We had some excellent tournaments, with some break-out performances, and I hope that continues in 2009. It’s a real shame that Zuffa doesn’t believe in co-promotion. I know why they don’t do it, but I think a one-off tournament or event every once in a while between the UFC and a Japanese MMA promotion would bring more fans to the UFC, and could breathe new life into the Japanese MMA scene. Yeah, there are huge obstacles to that, and it will probably never happen, but hey, a guy can dream, right? Just think of all the fantasy matchups! Plus, I love me some Lenne Hardt. Her crazy screaming blows Buffer out of the water. I’d give anything to have her do my voicemail at work…

No Japanese MMA = sadness, ya dig?

by pud333 on Nov 28, 2008 12:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Female MMA in the UFC

Only if they got to five minute rounds, though. Three minute rounds are a joke.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Nov 28, 2008 2:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Strikeforce

having live events on NBC besides taped shows on Saturday nights.

by tylerdurden1 on Nov 28, 2008 6:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Dish Network

to get Spike in HD added. Come on Damn it!!

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 28, 2008 8:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Anderson Silva

I think the only way for this guy to get any reasonable competition is to move up to 205 like you mention. Lindland will never fight for UFC again and Bisping? He hasn’t had any legitimate competition either, he’s being cakewalked to build the brand in the UK imo.

The problem with Silva though is I don’t think he really wants to fight anyone who can beat him. He’s content to retire as one of the greatest fighters in a division with little to no legitimate competition to face.

by scottyweb on Nov 28, 2008 9:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Is there any reason you would suggest that Silva is ducking anyone? To say he doesn’t want to fight anyone who can beat him suggests he’s ducking people — and I don’t think there’s anything at all to suggest that. Any explanation for such a bold statement?

by Kierkegaard on Nov 29, 2008 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs