MMA: The 2011 UFC Gatekeepers of Each Division

With every division, there are those who are destined to do great, those who fall and those who stay in limbo. This limbo area is one of holding a recognized name, with good stats, but never seems to quite make it to the top. They serve more as what are called “Gatekeepers.”

Gatekeepers are those who have enough fame to be a household name, but not enough skill to stay consistently on top. Most of the time, a gatekeeper is just an opponent to beat that accelerates your career and fame/notoriety. Sometimes, they serve as the testing ground to determine if a fighter is worthy of a title shot or to be considered a top contender.

Each division in MMA has many, but some stick out more than others. They come and go, but for the current rosters, here are just a few of the gatekeepers and how they play a role in the sport.

In the Bantamweight division, fighters like Damacio Page and Takeya Mizugaki are two fighters that have made names for themselves, but have not had what it takes to climb to the top. Page tends to gain momentum, then lose it and then repeat. Mizugaki built a name in Cage Force, but once he hit the WEC, his career since has flip-flopped wins and losses. Both fighters are dangerous for anyone who faces them, but somehow they cannot seem to stay on top.

In the Featherweight division, two more come to mind: Mike Brown and Leonard Garcia. Mike Brown had won the title and successfully defended it twice, but since he lost it in 2009, a decline has seemingly formed. His upset of Urijah Faber caused the MMA world to pay attention to his name, but has now become a name to beat to be considered a top contender.

Leonard Garcia is a fighter that everyone loves to watch, but he does not remain consistent in his victories. He is a name everyone knows from the WEC, especially after his bout with Chan Sung Jung at WEC 48. Despite his exciting style in the cage, he just can’t seem to reach the belt. Now that Kenny Florian has moved down, he would usually be a gatekeeper for the Lightweights, but may now be for the Featherweights.

In the Lightweight division, Donald Cerrone is one that sticks out. The Cowboy has recently attained a four-fight winning streak, but before that, his career had been up and down. Whenever fighting for a Championship, Cerrone makes it to contention, then loses it. In a division so stacked with people waiting, he may have to wait even longer if he can’t get through Charles Oliveira in August.

You cannot talk about the Lightweight gatekeepers without talking about Clay Guida. He has been one for some time and still is. However, he is riding a four-fight winning streak now, so who knows if he will finally get his title shot soon. So far though, his name has been one to beat to jettison a fighter into the top rankings of the Lightweight division. Similar to Garcia, he is an exciting fighter, but never seems to make it to the Championship fight.

The Welterweight division has many, but people like Josh Koscheck, Chris Lytle and Dan Hardy stand out. They are all great fighters, but given the shot for the title, Koscheck and Hardy could not attain it. Since 2007, Koscheck has not been as consistent as before his first fight against GSP. Dan Hardy has created a huge name for himself, but once beaten by GSP, has now continued to a three-fight losing streak. He and Lytle will meet in August.

Lytle has gone back and forth in his career and looks to possibly retire the England ambassador that is Dan Hardy. With many “of the night” awards, he is a fighter that is exciting to watch, but falls short of leading the division.

The Middleweight division has been dominated for so long by Anderson Silva, almost everyone under him is at an equal playing field. In fact, if Silva were to vanish from the division, the other Middleweights would all seem much more competitive. The two men who stand out in this division are Chris Leben and Michael Bisping.

These two men are substantial to the sport, since they both have brought memorable moments to MMA. Both spawning from The Ultimate Fighter, they have gone on to make their mark in the division. Leben is notorious for his chin and exciting fights and Bisping is one of the biggest British MMA fighters in the sport.

Leben’s and Bisping’s impressive careers started off fantastic, but have since come to a middle ground. They have numerous “of the night” awards, but once again, have not received that chance at the title.

The Light Heavyweights have shifted and changed so much in so little time, it is hard to pick out the gatekeepers. However, the two that stand out are the two that helped define and shape the UFC. Those two are Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar.

Both excellent and well-liked fighters, but whose careers have been a roller coaster. Forrest did win the title, but lost it just as quickly as he had attained it. The two have hit a plateau and cannot seem to pull out of it and continue climbing the division.

Last but not least, the Heavyweights. The three men that have stayed in limbo are Frank Mir, Mirko Filipovic and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Big Nog is a legend in the sport, but since coming to the UFC, his name is what has carried his continued fame. Once someone beats him, he becomes a highlight reel and accomplishments similar to those who beat Liddell before he retired. 

Cro Cop is another whose name comes more so from his past, but still remains a dangerous threat to any fighter. Always a great challenge, yet he can never achieve title contention.

Frank Mir has won and lost the title before, but falls short of getting it back. His chances to get a title shot come and go, but he still stays relevant to the division. He seemingly reinvents himself with each fight. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. However, his name is great in the UFC and to beat him is always a plus when making a run for the title.

These are the fighters that make up the UFC’s Gatekeepers in the MMA world today. There are many others, but these are some of the most prominent. Time will tell if they can break through the glass ceiling or if limbo will prove to be their highest achievement in the UFC. 

Who do you think are the Gatekeepers? Who do you think are becoming Gatekeepers? Leave your answers and comments below! 

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