The fighters who made the UFC what it is today are all reaching the peaks of their careers. Randy Couture was defeated a few weeks back for his heavyweight title, and he is currently 45-years-old. Chuck Liddell got knocked-out in his last fight, a fight many people thought he would win. Finally, Tito Ortiz, a fighter who is still in his prime at only 33-years-old but with a baby coming into the house and the fact that he is currently all-over the place in contract terms could we see Tito fight in the next year? Who will replace these fighters as the ones that continue to promote the business and bring in the big numbers at PPV events? There are many possibilities, but I have come up with a list of a few people who could bring the UFC the big numbers in the future.
Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva is an obvious choice. He has stated that he will retire in 2009, but if the man continues to fight, he could be the bread winner for the UFC. Anderson has a great fanbase, he is an amazing fighter, and he still could potentially conquer the light-heavyweight division before moving back down to middleweight for a final title defence. If Anderson Silva insists on retiring next year though, the UFC could still have a major final fight on its hands if they worked at it. I do believe a GSP, Anderson Silva fight could, if worked right, bring in over a million PPV buys. One million is a lot of people, but if promoted right this fight could have a lot of potential.
Georges St. Pierre
He went through a little rough patch but he has regained the UFC Welterweight World Championship and he will be defending it at the end of January. GSP is an obviously the man that draws most of the viewers from Canada when his fights are on. Just take, for example, his fight with Matt Serra (second time), that fight is one of the highest grossing PPV shows for the UFC. It sold appx. 650,000 easily putting the show in the UFC’s top five. B.J. Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre could be a massively sold fight. The UFC are already promoting it with the fighters making visits to Toronto and various other places in Canada and the US. Once that fight is all said and done though, and providing GSP wins the UFC should set up a fight between him and Anderson Silva as stated above. To be honest, the UFC welterweight division sucks right now, so a fight with Silva could be the only way around it for a few more months.
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about 1 month ago
In spite of the fact that you missed the fact that Tito and Jenna are expecting TWINS, I was with you until you said "Junie Browning."
from about 1 month ago
I really think Junie has what it takes though. If he stays of the alcohol and really works at his fighting he could one day be challenging for the title.
Thanks for the comment.
from about 1 month ago
Junie has nothing what is takes, he's a punk with very little talent. Even with out the alcohol he is just to stupid for his own good. He is what everyone who hates MMA thinks that we are. He's bad for the sport.
from about 1 month ago
Sorry, Ash, but I am with Adam all the way!
about 1 month ago
Hey what about Michael bisping?!
from about 1 month ago
He'll never hold the belt. Don't get me wrong he's a good fighter but I don't see him winning the belt. Being in the top five for his weight class yes but never the champ.
from about 1 month ago
I am a fan of Bisping but like Adam said, he probably wont get the belt before his career is up. He is doing well bringing in viewers from the UK but not nearly as good a job as GSP is doing with Canada.
about 1 month ago
Not sure if listing three of the most beloved champions counts as a rundown of "future stars." I'd be willing to say that they're currently stars, with Forrest being arguable the most popular fighter ever, GSP being loved by everyone (notably by the most popular writer on this site), and Silva displaying one of the most well rounded games the sport has ever seen. I like the last paragraph best, looking to the newer guys to see who will carry the torch, I'm curious to see how Amir will turn out. Also, Damien Maia is doing a lot to bring the ground game to the casual fan, his fight with MacDonald was pretty exciting.
about 1 month ago
Question:What's the easiest way for Forrest Griffin to lose his title?
Answer: Forrest fights Bisping for the title...in London.
from about 1 month ago
Bisping is fighting MW now though. So only option is a title fight against Silva which I really couldn't see going down too well for Bisping.
from about 1 month ago
I can totally appreciate your comment, Joseph, but there is, as Ash has pointed out that darn weight thingie.
about 1 month ago
It's still the fastest way for Griffin to lose his title...
about 1 month ago
There are plenty of guys out there to step into the light. The problem is that the UFC casual fan is just that. They only seem to care about the big names. I watch every UFC with about five to ten people and I'm the only one that seems to watch the entire card, most people just want to watch the head-liners and that sucks.
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