A look at MMA in 2008

If I were to describe Mixed Martial Arts using only one word in the year 2007, it would be "Surprising"

Look at it.. Zuffa buying Pride, Crocop getting knocked the f%%k out, Matt Serra KOing GSP, Forrest beating Shogun, Diaz gogo-ing Gomi, Randy winning the title and many more.

So why do I have to spend some time writing my speculations and actual forecast for the year 2008? Well.. let's just say I have actually the time to burn, the ability to write and a boredom to fill. So here we go..

Three PPVs has already been announced by the UFC. Let's talk about it and the importance of its matches one by one.

First up, UFC 80: Rapid Fire. This PPV will feature BJ Penn vs Joe "Daddy" Stevenson for the Vacated Lightweight Title as the main event. As much as I want to see Joe Daddy to take this one.. BJ will win this to set up a highly anticipated match between him and Sean Sherk that coul take place maybe from June onwards. That match has been long anticipated.. considering that those two warriors are already exchanging harsh statements against each other. The emotional factor of that bout alone can sell arena seats and PPVs for the UFC.

The GG-Werdum match is also a match to look forward to since both guys are trying to come up in the HW Division ladder. Considering that the depth of the UFC HW division isn't that stacked, the winner here could be in talk for a possible title contention.

Next up, UFC 81: Breaking Point.

This main event is between Tim Sylvia and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for the Interim Heavyweight Title. But since I don't think Randy will fight in the UFC again, I expect this one to be for the Vacated Heavyweight Championship. Questions would be asked, is Tim Sylvia a bad style match up for Big Nog? Will Big Nog be the next Pride Fighter to hold a belt in the UFC? Those are some questions that will be clarified in that night. Plus, a win here for Tim Sylvia, the most loved character in MMA history (Insert sarcasm here) could very well solidify his status as one of the best UFC Heavyweights ever because that would mean he would be winning the UFC Heavyweight belt for the third time.

The card also includes the debut of a former All American and NCAA Division 1 Champion (For fairness' sakes, I wouldn't put him as a former WWE Superstar) Brock Lesnar as he takes on former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir. This one's a big match in the UFC Heavyweight division nevertheless considering that a win here for Lesnar would prove that he is a legit HW contender and a win here for Mir well could put him back on track for a title hunt.

The biggest match so far that has been announced for 2008 is the Anderson Silva vs Dan Henderson Middleweight Title Unification match scheduled for UFC 82: Pride of a Champion. Silva being the dominant Champion will take on a world class wrestler with lots of experience and accomplishments both inside and outside the octagon. I personally think this will end the dominant reign of Anderson Silva in the Middleweight Division and will start a new regime in the UFC Middleweight division. Either way, this one could be one of the best matches of the year.

Other than all the UFC PPVs, I'll discuss some things that has a possibility of happening in the year 2008 both inside and outside the octagon.

- After seeing Takanori Gomi at UFC 79, I expect (Read: Hope) Takanori Gomi to sign with the UFC.

- The Fedor Emelianenko vs Randy Couture fight will happen. Randy's contract will expire at October this year and both of them have stated that they want to fight each other. Who knows, after seeing Wand and Chuck get it on as a year ender in the UFC, other promoters might make this match as a Christmas Gift to us fight fans.

- I've said this before (Way before Lyoto defeated Soku) and I'll say it again, Lyoto Machida is for real and I see him getting a title shot before this year ends.. Lyoto's style of fighting throws his opponents away for some reason and although to some it might not be that pretty, but it's damn sure effective. I will not be surprised if he will be our LHW Champion before this year ends.

- After watching Yarennoka last night, I see another MMA Org to look forward to. The promoters of Yarennoka could very well put on another show in the next 5 months or so considering the success of that event.

- Mirko Cro Cop, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Wanderlei Silva will all be back this year. After three fights in the UFC, I expect CC to finally be able to adjust with the UFC rules and the octagon itself, a morale boosting win could jumpstart the "Mirkomobile" again. Shogun fought Forrest Griffin who imposed a beautiful gameplan while Rua gassed out in the third round, I expect more from the former Pride 93 KG GP Champion and as for Wandy.. well, he fought one hell of a fight against Chuck Liddell and that loss was nothing to be ashamed off. I see Joe Silva setting a Tito Ortiz - Wanderlei Silva match this year.

Well that's it. I'd like to add more but unfortunately it's 3:30 am and my mind can't think anymore. Thanks for reading.