Heavyweights

The UFC’s unofficial tournament between Brock Lesnar and the winner of Frank Mir-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira ends in 2009, generating excitement and controversy for a division that has been the UFC’s sour point for years. Touted prospects Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez will have a defining year in their young careers. Bobby Lashley’s career will take shape, too, and he might just punch his ticket to the UFC by year’s end.

Outside of Zuffa, Andrei Arlovski hopes to be the man to soundly defeat mythical MMA figure Fedor Emelianenko.

Strikeforce

San Jose-based Strikeforce had another stellar year, promoting one of the most exciting battles outside an Octagon: Cung Le vs. Frank Shamrock. The company followed with a five-round war that saw long-time champion Gilbert Melendez drop his belt to Josh Thomson. Strikeforce then returned to the Playboy Mansion and closed out the year with a devastating knockout win by Scott Smith over Terry Martin.

A return to the Playboy Mansion is more than likely for 2009 as the promotion still has a contract with the magazine empire. International talent like Kazuo Misaki and Mitsuhiro Ishida will return as Strikeforce continues to expand its international talent pool. Le’s star power may see a boost with his major Hollywood connections, but regardless the middleweight champion will see action again. Frank Shamrock may also be free from his ProElite duties and return home. Gilbert Melendez is contractually obligated for one more fight and wants to make it memorable, and the demise of ProElite may open up doors for solid fighters to compete under the Strikeforce banner.

Furthermore, NBC, which is home to Strikeforce’s late-night fight program, is rumored to have interest in promoting live fights. CBS hasn’t quit on fighting yet either and is said to have interest in an established organization like Strikeforce.

‘UFC Undisputed 2009’

The UFC will go interactive and into the homes of gamers everywhere in 2009. Breakfast time XBOX360 sessions or PS3 binges are not in everyone’s ideal diet, but gamers are a fervent base not unlike hardcore MMA enthusiasts. Merge the two, add in online gaming and insomnia hits the 18-35 male demographic in astronomical numbers.

Entangling opponents like Frank Mir or knocking heads off like Wanderlei Silva without actually having to fight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira or Quinton Jackson is something fans have long dreamed of doing.

THQ, which has seen major success developing WWE games, is on board and seems dedicated to doing the UFC experience justice. Impressive trailers, however, only go so far. The game will have to speak for itself. But judging by the lackluster arcade style of UFC games of yesteryear, “UFC Undisputed 2009” should be the best UFC game yet.

It has to be. It features the most lethal move in MMA: the Buffer 180.

Penn vs. St. Pierre II

Pound-for-pound supremacy has never been up for grabs like this. UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn continues his travels through weight divisions to fight welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre on Jan. 31. The fight is a clash of pure talent against well-oiled machinery. Both combatants want to be remembered as legends in the sport, and though they already have two of the most impressive ledgers in MMA, they believe their records are not enough.

When the two tangle at UFC 94, the winner will likely emerge as the No. 1 or 2 fighter in the world. The magnitude of the fight sets high expectations for 2009 -- so high they’ll only be outdone by the Cheech and Chong reunion tour.