With the first few MMA events of the year having been ushered in, now seems like as good of a time as any to make my 2012 MMA predictions.
Do I have a bit of an edge over other MMA-sages, because I am making predictions one month into the year? I would say “no”. If there’s one thing that any fan of MMA knows, it’s that this sport is unpredictable as hell. So, with that said I am going to close my eyes, point and shoot…
Prediction 1: GSP will abandon the Welterweight title to move up to Middleweight.
I am going to call this my long-shot prediction, but it could happen. GSP is still out for at least 8-9 months, and on a restricted work-out routine; it gives him plenty of time to put on the weight needed to be a serious contender at 185lbs. The timing is perfect for him – he’s cleaned out the welterweight division, and he is at an age where he is starting to reach his peak.
Prediction 2: Anderson Silva will knockout Chael Sonnen.
I am pretty sure that Sonnen is going to beat Bisping this weekend, setting up the only match in the middleweight division that holds any interest to fans. I stand by the fact that Silva’s performance in the first fight was due to a back injury, and I think he will learn from the legitimate mistakes he made. Sub-prediction to this one: Silva will credit Steven Seagal with teaching him the KO technique.
Prediction 3: Gilbert Melendez will come to the UFC.
Probably the only top level lightweight not in the UFC. I have no doubt that Melendez will make his way from the floundering Strikeforce organization into the top heap in the UFC. Melendez will only be happy with his paltry paycheques and less-than-formidable competition for so long.
Prediction 4: Strikeforce will officially become the UFC “Farm League”.
I think this has already been slowly taking place since the UFC purchased Strikeforce, but I am pretty sure you’re really going to start to see the top level fighters immigrate to the UFC. The up-and-comers who aren’t performing in the UFC that Dana doesn’t want to let go will be downgraded to Strikeforce.
Prediction 5: Jon Jones and Anderson Silva will square off, and the winner will face GSP.
A guy can dream, can’t he?
Prediction 6: UFC viewership pay-per-view numbers will decrease dramatically.
I think having so many events on FOX will have the opposite intended effect. Instead of pushing people to the PPVs, I am pretty sure viewers are going to feel as though they’re getting their MMA fixes filled on the free cards and pass on the $50 price tag for the PPV. I also think with so many events a lot of people who are “occasional PPV’ers” might get confused and miss when the premiere pay events are on.
Anything I am missing? Any other predictions? Feel free to chime in below.
… and that is the last word.
