Perez's Take
PEREZ: Predictions for 2011 in the World of MMA
Jan 11, 2011 - 2:15:35 PM PEREZ: Predictions for 2011 in the World of MMA

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By: Anwar Perez, MMATorch Columnist

While people are still tallying up "best-of" lists from 2010, or trying to catch up to what they missed last year, it's time to look forward to 2011 and try to see what the year brings. So far, the UFC has booked fights all the way up to April with fights that could be earth-shattering, game changing events. Bellator is starting up another season of tournament matches themselves, and Strikeforce is making strides to solidify themselves with the announcement of their upcoming Heavyweight tournament. Here are my thoughts on what 2011 has in store for MMA fans worldwide.

Anderson Silva will face off against Georges St. Pierre

This is the fight many have wanted for the past year due to both competitors cleaning out their respective divisions while they hold the title. The only difference here is that I believe one of these fighters will not have the belt in the division they represent. Which one? I'm not sure, but I would actually say that Anderson Silva will lose the belt. Not that he's any worse than Georges St. Pierre, but his next defense is against a fighter that is more dangerous than one he's faced in recent times in Vitor Belfort. Whether it's Belfort, or the #1 contender Yushin Okami who takes the belt from him, it remains to be seen. Silva will face off against GSP, but one of them (leaning towards Silva) will not have the belt in their division when it happens.

Bellator will surpass Strikeforce as the #2 organization

So far, Bellator has played it safe, taking few risks (with rewards to boot) while coming up in the MMA game. I believe they will become better and (somewhat) bigger than Strikeforce in that they are doing something different. They are not trying to challenge the UFC for supremacy. Bellator does something a little different, presenting tournaments to crown a tournament champion that pits the winners against the champion in the respective division to fight for a title. Similar to the Ultimate Fighter, the tournament has seasoned pros such as Roger Huerta and Dan Hornbuckle fighting for a chance to face the champ at the end of the season. It's a refreshing approach as it harkens back to the old UFC tournament style days, and also to the Pride days with various month(s) long tournaments. They are always going forward, with the right decisions being made, and now that they are having their bouts televised on a bigger network (MTV2), they are doing all the right things that Strikeforce have failed to do. Strikeforce has always swung for the fences and has whiffed big time, while Bellator have been hitting doubles, triples, and the occasional bunt to score all the points towards the win.

Strikeforce succeeds with Heavyweight tournament but...

It just won't help turn around the ship. As enticing as it is to see a tournament with some of the biggest names in the heavyweight division, it's also a sad reminder that Strikeforce has to do things like these to make-up for lapses in judgment or recent mistakes. Nevermind that other organizations do this thing better (Bellator) but also, it's a smoke-screen designed to brush aside the mistakes they've made and continue to make. Only two divisional champions have defended their belts (one of which was relinquished, then offered in a fight between contenders to crown a new champ) in the past nine months, while their lightweight champion, who is easily one of the best in the world, Gilbert Melendez hasn't fought since last April; and now they are having issues with top contenders and fighters not being able to book fights as Tim Kennedy spoke out recently about fighters turning him down for fights. The tournament is and will be exciting, but it'll just be another distraction to really hide the fact that Strikeforce is trying anything and everything to stay in competition with the UFC.

Frankie Edgar will Still be Champion at the end of 2011

Many people didn't give respect to Edgar when he beat B.J. Penn last year for the belt, nor a second time (in more dominating fashion) against the then challenger in Penn; even more disheartening, Edgar wasn't even the favorite for his recent bout against Gray Maynard. It may have been a draw, but I scored the bout for Edgar, and feel that in the rematch he will finish and take Maynard out. He's too resilient, as proven when he survived the beating he took in the first round against Maynard, he's too fast, he's a smart fighter, and he's always improving. I feel that Edgar will dominate this year and finally get the recognition he so deserves.

Of course, this is only a partial list of things and predictions that could happen this year. Questions still linger whether or not Brock Lesnar will return to reclaim his title, whether or not Chael Sonnen will be able to beat his demons and return to the Octagon, will Strikeforce still be an organization at the end of the year, and many more. This year will no doubt have watershed moments that carry the sport in a different and exciting direction. Either way, I predict we will all be able to say individually "I was there when _______ happened."