Each year brings a new set of questions that are ready to be answered by the end of December. 2012 is no different, as many fighters have already seen their stocks rise, while others have to suffer the realization that their stocks are on the tumble. Based on what has already transpired only one month into the year, many more fighters will have to think of 2012 as a “make or break” year for their careers. Here is a list of five mixed martial artists who have to get all they can out of 2012, because their legacies and careers nearly depend on it.
Thiago Alves (19-8)
Who remembers when the “Pitbull” was tearing through the 170-pound weight class and looked like a human wrecking ball the whole way? In the span of two years he built a 7-fight win streak that included names such as Chris Lytle, Matt Hughes, and Josh Koscheck. To make matters more impressive, he did so in violent fashion, as he dominated each person who was placed in his way. Then he ran into Georges St. Pierre, and since that fateful night at UFC 100, Alves has gone a meager 2-2, looking impressive one moment, then mediocre the next.
Facing off against Martin Kampmann at UFC on FX 2, Alves is in need of a big win in spectacular fashion to avoid becoming an afterthought in the 170-pound weight class. He’s no longer viewed as the striker that everyone should fear in the weight class, as his recent contests against Rick Story and Jon Fitch have shown that effective wrestling can quickly stifle his attacks. A highlight reel knockout over Kampmann is what’s needed to propel him back into the discussion as a potential contender in the weight class, especially with the title hunt wide open.
Martin Kampmann (18-5)
Consider it a coincidence that Alves’s next opponent is in the same situation, but Martin Kampmann is also in great need of a big win for his career. Look back to two of his last three fights and it’s very easy to make the argument that the “Hitman” could have placed himself into a number one contender’s role.
As Jake Shields‘ opponent in his UFC debut, Kampmann had the opportunity to win the fight, and many people still think he did. His next fight was against Diego Sanchez at UFC Live on Versus 3, and Kampmann left Sanchez a bloody, swollen mess, but somehow the judges still gave the fight to Diego, which was even more controversial than the defeat to Shields. If those two decisions went the other way, and with his victory over Rick Story at UFC 139, there’s no reason to believe that the Danish fighter wouldn’t be next in line for a title shot in 2012. Instead he’s in need of a big win to start off the year, and hopefully create some momentum that he drastically has to run with for as long as possible.
Josh Barnett (31-5)
“The Warmaster” needs to defeat Daniel Cormier and win the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix, but not because the title carries tremendous worth. No, Barnett has to win this fight because it may be his only ticket back into the UFC. The story of the animosity between UFC President Dana White and Barnett is long and well-chronicled, and as a result, there is a strong possibility that the former heavyweight champion will be left by the wayside if he can’t defeat Cormier.
Barnett is certainly a personality that can grab attention due to his affinity for bringing pro wrestling into the MMA world, but that may not be enough to overcome his past beefs with the people in charge and his troubles with positive PED test results. A number of interesting fights would await him in the UFC’s heavyweight division but there is no guarantee that we will ever get the chance to see them.
Melvin Guillard (29-10-2)
Melvin is one of the toughest “head scratchers” in all of professional sports. With more than 10 years in the sport, 41 professional fights, and the physical tools to do nearly whatever he wants in the cage, it’s almost hard to watch him fall apart the way he has during his last two contests. He was caught and submitted by Joe Lauzon in less than 50 seconds, and then chocked out again by Jim Miller after having stunned the New Jersey native with his powerful striking. His performances make many people rub their heads in baffled frustration.
2012 was supposed to be the year Guillard made a serious push for title contention, but we can all see that he’s still plagued by the same problems that have hurt him since the start of his career. It’s no secret that if you have some grappling chops and can get him to the ground, you have a good shot at tapping out Guillard. Everyone but Guillard knows that. He’s going to be sent back down to the preliminary spots on UFC cards, and now he has to work twice as hard to get back to the top. I hope he returns to Jackson’s MMA full time because that’s where his solutions are to be found. With 11 months left in 2012, “The Young Assassin” has a lot to prove to his fans, competition, and the UFC executives.
Brandon Vera (12-5)
“The Truth” was supposed to be the first ever dual champion in mixed martial arts. Experts expected him to be able to dominate both the light heavyweight and the heavyweight divisions with his diverse skill set, his youth, and the potential to grow into his abilities. However, that never happened.
After defeating Frank Mir in 2006, Vera began to collapse, as he fell to a pretty long list of names in the sport, including Fabricio Werdum, Tim Sylvia, Keith Jardine, and Randy Couture, the last of which was very controversial. Then Vera was blitzed by Jon Jones and Thiago Silva, which caused him to be released from the company. When the news broke of Silva’s positive PED testing results, the UFC executives brought Vera back, giving him an opportunity to truly keep his job. Yet while he was able to defeat Eliot Marshall at UFC 137, questions still abound about where Vera will fit in the 205-pound division. Is he going to be able to compete with the likes of prospects such as Phil Davis and Alexander Gustafsson? 2012 is going to be a big year for Vera, because he can quickly find himself out of the organization.
When we prepare to turn the page to 2013 we will have a lot to talk about in the world of mixed martial arts. These five individuals, along with scores of others, will have to do all they can to make the most of this year, because all the years after that hinge greatly upon their performances.
I don't see what is so baffling about Guillard's last 2 performances. That was vitage Melvin Gullard.
I think the time has come and gone for Vera to be on a "make or break" list. Experts didn't expect him to be able to dominate both the light heavyweight and the heavyweight divisions, Vera did.
Thanks for the comment.
I fnd it "baffling" because I believe he has the physical tools to be better. He had the trainers to be better at Jacksons…so why not BE BETTER. I don't want to call him a "waste of talent" because that's the death sentence in sports…but man. He's close.
And I added Vera because I believe he has the potential to be a UFC level fighter, but if he blows it…that's it. Especially since he called out Silva and now they've gave him Silva. I think this is a great story to build around too, but i don't think he' gonna live up to it
Regarding Guillard: But what makes you believe that? And are his deficiencies even physical?
Regarding Vera: What makes you believe he has the potential to be a UFC level fighter? And and what level? So wait, you DON'T think he's going to live up to it? Isn't that a contradiction?
Guillard: I believe it cause he's shown it time and time again. He clearly has the physical tools to be a fighter at a much better level than he is now. What I believe he lacks is the proper direction that I feel he found at Jackson's MMA. Leaving there was the worst decision I think he could have made for his career.
Vera: As much as I don't like him, I do think he is a solid fighter and could be a mainstay in the UFC. But again, potential only gets you so far in sports. I wouldn't be surprised if he finds himself cut by the end of the year.