5 UFC Stars Who Will Take a Step Back in 2015

Every year, the UFC sees a handful of fighters take flight and soar.

Whether through an inevitable title shot, an illustrious winning streak or plain old good fights, these standouts often reinvigorate a division.

However, MMA is not for the faint of heart. As fast as these fighters rise, the quicker they fall.

This isn't the case 100 percent of the time, but more often than not, some of the promotion's best competitors drop off in the long run.

Here are five UFC stars who will take a step back in 2015.

Andrei Arlovski

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There's no disputing that Andrei Arlovski has made a memorable return to the UFC heavyweight mix.

He's displayed patience, prowess and persistence like the true veteran he is.

However, just because the former UFC king laid Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva down for a nap in his most recent Octagon appearance doesn't mean we should discard his rather stagnant performance opposite Brendan Schaub back at UFC 174 in June.

For what it's worth, the 35-year-old has looked good overall.

When you consider he's going to start testing his new-found aggression against the likes of Junior dos Santos, Travis Browne, Josh Barnett and even the winner of Roy Nelson vs. Mark Hunt, though, it just seems like Arlovski is setting himself up to fail entering 2015. 

Conor McGregor

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Conor McGregor is doing too much, too quickly.

He's running his mouth daily, challenging the best fighters in the featherweight division and proclaiming himself an uncrowned king.

While that's all well and good in promoting oneself, and the Irishman has done exactly that, it sets him up for failure should he produce any outcome besides perfection.

As one unproven thread in the featherweight cloth, The Notorious has a lot of work cut out for him should he actually make it to the top.

It just seems like too much for a kid yet to enter his prime to defeat the likes of Dustin Poirier, Cub Swanson, Frankie Edgar, Chad Mendes and champion Jose Aldo in succession. 

Donald Cerrone

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Too many fights in too little time is what's going to force lightweight Donald Cerrone to take a step back in 2015.

Not to mention he has the very tough task of welcoming former Bellator champion and consensus Top 10 lightweight Eddie Alvarez to the division at UFC 178 on Sept. 27.

However, it wouldn't come as a surprise if The Cowboy is able to continue his winning ways, whether it includes highlight-reel finishes or not.

Considering Cerrone is destined to encounter multiple contenders he has already lost to in his professional career (Anthony Pettis, Rafael dos Anjos, Benson Henderson), though, it seems like his current No. 5 ranking could be his final resting spot. 

Michael Bisping

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Michael Bisping is quickly becoming the newest gatekeeper in the UFC middleweight division, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Sure, he can still handle the flashy striking of a Cung Le or the top-end inexperience of an Alan Belcher, but the Brit's best days are certainly behind him.

Since more athletically complete fighters have made their way onto the 185-pound battlefield, such as Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, Luke Rockhold and even Tim Kennedy, Bisping has consequently been cast aside.

However, for the sake of still being able to sell tickets and create buzz for any one of his fights, the 35-year-old will at least be given the chance to prove he still belongs on top.

Just don't count on it lasting for much longer. 

Daniel Cormier

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When you're undefeated and fighting the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, there isn't much more room for improvement.

As it stands right now, either Daniel Cormier defeats champion Jon Jones and pulls off one of the biggest upsets in UFC light heavyweight history at UFC 182 on Jan. 3 or he becomes the next victim of Bones and falls back in the divisional line.

Considering Jones hasn't shown any hints of relinquishing his title any time soon, DC's chances of capturing victory are truly slim to none.

By sticking to that equation, the 35-year-old has no where to go but down in 2015.

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