MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer</B><BR><BR>
The MMA landscape has changed drastically over the last five years. The sport has grown exponentially, heroes have fallen, stars have risen, it?s been a wild half decade to sum it up. None of that however changes the fact that there have been some extremely significant happenings since 2005.<BR><BR>
<B><U>#5:</U><BR><BR>
The IFL Falls:</B><BR><BR>
Just a few years ago, the MMA team concept was tackled by promotional neophyte the International Fight League. The concept was intriguing, if flawed on a number of fronts. While fans were able to see quality fighters enter the ring, and MMA legends in the coaching seat, the overall concept failed to catch on. Poor marketing strategies ultimately lead to the promotions burial, which is a bit disappointing considering the potential the IFL had, if only a bit more capital was handy to the promotion, we may still be able to catch the IFL on network television.<BR><BR>
<B><U>#4:</U><BR><BR>
CBS Involvement:</B><BR><BR>
There?s no doubt that one of the most significant things to touch down on our beloved sport was the sudden involvement of CBS. CBS initially flirted with the now defunct EliteXC, airing multiple events and drawing extremely large viewing numbers. Since EliteXC has disappeared, CBS has picked up business dealings with the surging promotion Strikeforce. Should the business relations between Strikeforce and CBS continue to draw viewers, and earn significant revenue, we?ll likely see CBS dive further into the combat sports field. That is, as long as the Nashville post-fight melee between Jason Miller and the Caesar Gracie camp hasn?t left too foul a taste in their mouths.<BR><BR><!--more-break-->
<B><U>#3:</U><BR><BR>
A New Era For Heavyweights:</B><BR><BR>
Since the Pride Fighting Championships buy out a few years ago the heavyweight division has suffered dearly. Once beloved perennial top 10 heavies have fallen, overcome by age and personal issues in most cases. For a while it looked as though the heavyweight division was the weakest in the sport. That all changed rather quickly. Since 2005 we?ve seen a number of top flight heavyweight?s emerge. Nowadays the division is as stacked as ever before with guys like Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem, Junior dos Santos, Shane Carwin and Fabricio Werdum all coming into their own. The future once again looks bright for the big boys.<BR><BR>
<B><U>#2:</U><BR><BR>
Bellator:</B><BR><BR>
Bellator Fighting Championships is the greatest upstart promotion to arrive since Strikeforce. With an incredibly busy schedule, solid free-TV exposure and a growing stable of quality fighters, Bellator could be the next big thing, if the promotion continues to play it?s cards right. As it is, Bellator has already provided 31 exciting events in under two years time. If that?s not a promising look for the company, I don?t know what is.<BR><BR><!--more-break-->
<B><U>#1:</U><BR><BR>
Jose Also:</B><BR><BR>
For years the lighter divisions of MMA have been largely ignored. For some reason fans just haven?t found much excitement in under-155 pound competition. That is, until Jose Aldo burst into the spotlight at WEC 34, where he destroyed long time contender Alexandre Franca Nogueira with relative ease. He?s since gone on to win seven more consecutive fights. He?s taken the title, and beaten the best the division has to offer, including Urijah Faber, Mike Brown and Manny Gamburyan. With the exception of Urijah Faber, he?s finished every single opponent in explosive fashion, usually rendering his challengers unconscious. The 145 pound belt is strapped firmly around Aldo?s waist, and at this point in time, it doesn?t look like anyone at 145 has much of a chance to take that away. It may be time for a jump to the UFC?s 155 pound division before too long.<BR><BR>
These aren?t the only significant events to rock our sport over the last 5 years, but in my personal opinion, they do hold the most relevance. Got more suggestions? Drop us a line in the comment box!<BR><BR>
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