With UFC 227 just around the corner and rumors of Conor McGregor’s return looming on the horizon, it’s safe to say there are many things to look forward to in the UFC. But before we get into those things, we need to understand the state of the MMA game and where the UFC stands as 2018 is coming to a close. Here is the “State of UFC” heading into the second half of 2018.
Heading into this year, all Dana White could hear was criticism that the UFC was on a downward trend and that things weren’t looking so bright. Ronda Rousey and McGregor didn’t step foot in the octagon once in 2017 and the same can be said for the first half of 2018. With its stars gone and viewership having declined across the board, has the UFC really passed its peak? What will the future hold for this billion dollar enterprise with these declining statistics?
Let’s all stop a second and take a deep breath.
There is absolutely no reason to hit the panic button. The UFC isn’t going anywhere. Not only is it not going anywhere, but it is without a doubt still riding its upward spiral, with or without its stars. Sure, the UFC could use the help of its big names and there’s certainly no question that fighters like McGregor or Jon Jones would only bolster this already incredible sports mogul. But the truth of the matter is a temporary lack of star power isn’t enough to stop this train at this point. It may only slow it down for a bit.
There are so many young and talented prospects coming up in the MMA game that it’s inevitable that a star pops up sooner or later. With how rapidly the UFC is growing day by day, a lack of star power can only be considered a temporary problem.
Now that we’re in the second half of 2018, there are definitely some things going on in the UFC that fight fans can be happy about. One of them being the handful of prospects that have blossomed so far this year and have shown star potential.
“Suga” Sean O’Malley
Holding a professional record of 10-0, O’Malley has quickly become a fan favorite with his unorthodox and creative movements inside the octagon. His striking is vicious and unpredictable but what makes “Suga” a blessing to watch is his heart. In his recent win over Andre Soukhamthath at UFC 222, O’Malley injured his leg at the beginning of the third and final round and had to survive the rest of the round without a leg in order to win the fight. What I will say to all you “Sean O’Malley Stans” is that the man needs to improve his physical condition in order for him to grow into the star we want him to. I’m sorry, but it doesn’t matter how talented you are. That skinny frame isn’t taking the belt from TJ or Cody.
Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa is apparently “the next big Brazilian star,” according to Dana White. Costa, 12-0 in professional MMA, is new to the game but he may be one of the craziest physical specimens we have ever seen grace the octagon (what’s crazy is I seem to be saying that about a new fighter every week). The guy looks like he is sculpted from marble. He is coming off a crazy win over Uriah Hall at UFC 226 and I could not be more excited to see what the future holds for the Brazilian slugger.
Mackenzie Dern
The last prospect I want to talk about is none other than the beautiful strawweight star, Mackenzie Dern. The 25-year-old young lioness is sporting a 7-0 professional MMA record and drawing comparisons to Ronda Rousey due to her merciless jiu-jitsu. She’s got the looks, she’s got the talent and she’s certainly got the demeanor. This girl gets after it in the octagon. She could very well be the next female superstar and there’s a strong chance Rose Namajunas is going to have to worry about this girl for years to come.
Old Names Also Returning In UFC’s Time of Need
While the young prospects have started to come into their own so far this year, the proven names are starting to make their returns as well.
The greatest welterweight of all-time, Georges St. Pierre, made his return last December, after a four-year hiatus to capture middleweight gold. There’s a big chance we see the end of his great career at the end of this year or in 2019. Everyone’s favorite heavyweight, Brock Lesnar, is also gearing up for a return to the UFC to challenge newly crowned heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier after the dramatics at UFC 226. It seems like Anderson Silva is ready to fight again as well, after clearing his controversial supplement issues.
Both Junior Dos Santos and Chad Mendes even just completed their comebacks in satisfying fashion as both of them registered a win at UFC Fight Night: Ivanov vs. Dos Santos. There are even rumors going around right now that Jon Jones could be cleared to fight soon.
With all these big names and young prospects getting ready to change combat sports history, there’s absolutely no way we can maintain the notion that the UFC is on its way out or declining. If there’s one thing the UFC is not lacking as of now, its star power. Greatness is on the horizon for MMA fans across the world as we are getting ready to wrap up 2018.
