Is 2012 the Year of Rivalry’s, Rematches and Rubbermatches?

by 420mike on Jan 5, 2012 7:51 PM EST

Strikeforce is putting together Ronda Rousey vs Meisha Tate at their March 3rd event. This Rivalry got heated up pretty quick and we are likely gonna see it (Unlike 2011) along with many other Rivalry’s, Rematches and Rubbermatches that are already scheduled, in the works, or 1-2 fights away from happening sometime in 2012.

Fights that are Scheduled

· Rousey vs Tate (March 3rd) for the Strikeforce 135lbs Womens Championship

· Faber vs Cruz 3 (Sometime in June) they are scheduled to coach against each other in The Ultimate Fighter’s debut on FX, and Square off after the 12 week live season

· Vitor Belfort vs Wanderlei Silva 2 (June/July) they are Scheduled to coach on the first international “Ultimate Fighter” with TUF Brazil, its not confirmed if they will fight at the end of the season but that is probably because Vitor has a fight on the 14th

Fights that are in the works (or that make sense)

· Forrest Griffin vs Tito Ortiz 3- They are both coming off losses, Ortiz is lobbying for this to be his last fight and Griffin has said he’ll do it if people will pay to see it.

· Lyoto Machida vs Shogun Rua 3-again both of these guys are coming off losses and with a UFC stadium show in the works for summer in Brazil it makes perfest sense.

· Miguel Torres vs Brian Bowles 2 and again both of these guys are coming off losses (Torres was more of a loss of pride), and both guys they lost too went on too challenge for the title immediately after so this could be a title eliminator.

Fights that are 1-2 fights away from Happening

· Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen 2- If Sonnen gets Past Munoz on Jan. 28th then its On like Donkey Kong

· Jon Jones vs Rashad Evans- Same deal as Above, if Evans can beat Davis on Jan. 28th this fight will finally happen!

· Nick Diaz vs GSP- If Diaz beats Condit he would be the man holding the strap when GSP returns (As long as GSP’s Rehab is Successful)

· Ben Henderson vs Anthony Pettis 2- Fighting on the same card and if they both win we could see Ben Henderson vs Anthony Pettis 2 for the UFC Lightweight Title

So In Total that’s 7 Rematches that are possible and 3 of them are Rubbermatches. Then 3 new and not so new (Jones vs Evans) Rivalry’s, which means there could be a Lot of Drama in 2012

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

I love a good rivalry

by Robert V-U on Jan 6, 2012 1:30 AM EST reply actions

it is the year of riches royalty and respect

This is an oule.

by some schmuck in texas on Jan 6, 2012 12:18 PM EST reply actions

Why are people considering Griffin/Ortiz 3? Griffin lit him up in that last fight, and would do even worst now.

by discoandherpes on Jan 6, 2012 2:02 PM EST reply actions

It's the match Tito wants for his retirement

Don’t like it? Don’t watch it.

‎"Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit."
~ Joe Lewis

http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/

by Worldisart on Jan 6, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

I'll watch any fight - Shields vs Askren? Bring it on! And I figure Griffin is close to totally irrelevant.

But even I think this is a poor use of Forrest. Oritz deserves someone more like Diabate.

This is an oule.

by some schmuck in texas on Jan 6, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

Ortiz-Shamrock 4, make it happen haha

by Robert V-U on Jan 6, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

Diabate for his retirement fight?

C’mon, that’s a shitty fight to go out on. Even if he loses to Forrest, gets completely beat down again, at least he can say he went out settling one of the better rivalries in his career.

It’s a retirement fight, it’s not about making something that’s super relevant to the rankings or to the title picture, but rather about giving one of the all time greats of the sport a chance to go out on his terms.

‎"Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit."
~ Joe Lewis

http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/

by Worldisart on Jan 6, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

See, I thought it was about giving Tito a fight he can win.

Diabate can’t wrestle for shit, and Tito probably has enough chin to get close enough for the takedown/gnp. Diabate’s best chance is smashing up Ortiz’ ribcage again with kicks, but that again makes him vulnerable to the takedown.

This is an oule.

by some schmuck in texas on Jan 6, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Who cares if it's winnable?

Tito is fighting one more time. He wants to fight Forrest, why should he be denied that? Why should he have to settle for a shitty fight like Diabate that people will care about even less than a third fight with Forrest?

Tito Ortiz versus Cyrille Diabate is a fight that is just a waste of everyone’s time.

‎"Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit."
~ Joe Lewis

http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/

by Worldisart on Jan 6, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

silly me, I prefer competitive fights to teary-eyed showbiz sendoffs

Any fight Tito takes is a waste of everyone’s time. He’s a once great wash-up who should have retired after the Bader win. OK, fine. Give him a famous opponent. Hershel Walker fits the bill. Gonna do an irrelevant fight strictly for the gimmick you may as well go all out.

This is an oule.

by some schmuck in texas on Jan 6, 2012 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

With GSP most likely out until 2013

Diaz could have 2-3 more fights on his hands before then. Not saying he would lose them but there is no guarantee he holds the interim strap until GSP is fully recovered and prepared for a fight.

I would have loved to see GSP/ Diaz (and still would if GSP comes back close to 100%) but I’m more pumped for Diaz/ Conduit

Bloodyelbow is my facebook

by soilworker on Jan 6, 2012 5:38 PM EST reply actions