How does one describe MMA? I think the late Bruce Lee said something along these lines,
......the best fighter is not a boxer, karate or judo fighter. The best fighter is one who can adapt to any style.
Unlike boxing, where one can easily pick apart a fighter's style and movements, one can't do the same in an MMA fight, especially when one factors in the different styles present(some fight a ground-pounding style; others are great at striking while still others are great at submissions/takedowns).........
Since most MMA fights within North America take place under the rules of the Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC), a quick primer on the UFC, its' rules and its' current champions...............
Weight Classes...............................
~~Lightweight, 146-155 lbs
~~Welterweight, 156-170 lbs
~~Middleweight, 171-185 lbs
~~Light Heavyweight, 186-205 lbs
~~Heavyweight, 206 lbs+
Current UFC Champions....................
~~Lightweight--vacant.......title is currently vacant due to the 6-month suspension of previous champion Sean Sherk by the California State Athletic Commission due to a positive steroid test
~~Welterweight--current champion, Matt "the Terror" Serra
~~Welterweight--interim champion, Georges "Rush" St. Pierre
....the reason for an interim title is that Serra suffered a back injury last month; St. Pierre won the interim title by submission over Matt Hughes at UFC 79 this past weekend
~~Middleweight--Anderson "the Spider" Silva
~~Light Heavyweight--Quentin "Rampage" Jackson
~~Heavyweight--Randy "the Natural" Couture
So.....what will happen in 2008? Will some new champions rise to the fore, or can some of the old veterans find the top of the mountain again? Who knows.........but it could be one interesting year, that's for sure.