Mixed Martial Arts 2009: 10 Predictions

As 2008 is now officially history many look back at the year in Mixed Martial Arts and have differing opinions on the sports success.  I found this to be a great year in MMA but here are my 10 predictions for the upcoming year.

10. Although against the idea Dana White gives a contract to Gina Carano.

OK I will admit this is a long shot but I watched EliteXC for one reason and that was to watch Gina fight. Dana said he has no interest in this but this would be a great draw on a free card. Lets face it Gina is an amazing fighter and does draw people. Of course I give this a chance for one reason, Dana likes do things that attract attention to the sport.

If you would have ask me two years ago who would have been the Heavyweight Champion in the UFC I would have said ever Heavyweight I could think of and Brock Lesner's name would not have appeared. With that being said I give this prediction a 25% Chance.

9. Fedor Emelianenko gets his first loss.

I know his record shows a loss but that's a crock. Fedor will probably fight 3 times next year one of those fights being against Andrei Arlovski. Although very unlikely Fedor could lose this fight. I see Affliction sticking around for one more card on July 4, but will get crushed by UFC 100.

So if Fedor takes care of business against Arlovski he will likely fight Josh Barnett. Barnett has defeated an Emelianenko abut that was the younger brother Aleksander. So that leaves about six months left in 2009. So now that leaves it up to Dana White to get it done with Fedor. I can see Fedor fighting whoever is the UFC heavyweight Champ on the day after Christmas in Ultimate 2009. 

So who will be the champ, well i can see Randy regaining the championship but i think whoever is the champ will defeat Fedor. Fedor will rebound and avenge his loss in 2010. So all that being said I give this a 45% Chance.

8. Josh Koscheck wins gold at 170.

Josh is the third best at 170 and I think he can beat Thiago if he is given time to prepare. Josh continues what he started in 2008 and blows through the competition and surprises the UFC universe when he wins gold late in the year. I give this a 50% Chance.

7. Deigo Sanchez claims the lightweight belt.

Deigo goes down to 155 and is a nightmare to Joe Daddy and knocks out Kenny Florian again. Next up is BJ Penn and I personally can't wait for this fight. Deigo gets it done and I give this Prediction 40% Chance.

6. Satoshi Ishii makes his UFC debut and does not disappoint.

For those who dont know who Satoshi is he won the gold metal for over 100kg at the Olympics this Summer and is negotiating with the UFC. Whether he fights at 205 or in the Heavyweight division I can see him becoming a legend. There are reports that he could make his debut with Heavyweights on the Tenth Season of the Ultimate Fighter, mostly to get a following with MMA fans. Look for him to train with Xtreme Couture. This is an almost slam dunk, 99% Chance.

5. Chick Liddell goes unbeaten in 2009 and becomes a contender.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?