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Biggest MMA stories of 2014

Mark Hunt will be in action at UFC 193.
Roar Pro
21st December, 2014
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The last 12 months in MMA have not lived up to the cataclysmic bang which ended 2013, when Anderson Silva broke his leg and Georges St-Pierre vacated the title.

But there have been a number of intriguing story lines and announcements which have captured the imagination, especially in the last couple of months.

Firstly, let’s take a look at the exciting developments on the home front.

Australia to host huge UFC event in 2015
With the change of government in Victoria and the pre-election pledge to cull the ban on MMA in the state, the UFC has tentatively booked a blockbuster card in Melbourne for November 2015.

Featuring at least one title bout, names like Jon Jones, Ronda Rousy and Conor McGregor have been rumoured as possibilities as the UFC aims to make a big push in the southern hemisphere, either way it promises to be the biggest MMA event to ever hit Australia.

Scott Coker joins Bellator as president
Having served his period of gardening leave following the purchase and dismantling of his former promotion, Strikeforce, Scott Coker was hired as president for Bellator MMA, nominally the UFC’s biggest competitor.

Though this may not appear to be headlining news it will have long term effects as Coker looks to put Bellator on a level playing field with the UFC. Bankrolled by the mass media giant Viacom, Bellator will be looking to break into the lucrative MMA pay-per-view market which has so far been the sole preserve of the UFC. If Dana White didn’t know, the competition just upped their game.

Fighter uniforms
In a recent and heavily reported development, the UFC has signed a deal for Reebok to be the exclusive supplier of uniforms when fighting for the promotion. Sponsor income has been a large source of income for many competitors and removing that will be a bitter pill to swallow.

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Time will show how this develops but it is worth noting the complaints from fights still under contract as been unusually vitriolic, some people were not pleased.

Sonnen and Silva retire following failed tests
Increased out-of-competition drug testing claimed two scalps almost immediately with Chael Sonnen failing his and Wanderlai Silva literally running away from the test administrators.

Both fighters immediately announced their retirements with Sonnen admitting his actions while Silva began a bitter war of words with his former employee, the UFC.

The Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier brawl episode
In a press conference to publicise their upcoming match, Cormier shoved Jones who responded with punches and attempting to tackle the former Olympian to the ground before a wave of security (and the fighter’s teammates) descended to break up the scuffle.

In a heated TV interview following this incident the two traded further insults which culminated in Jones threatening to kill the challenger. We will see what happens when the two square off in the New Year.

Fighters to file lawsuit against UFC
Following on seamlessly from the Reebok uniform deal has come the announcement that a class action lawsuit is poised to be filed against the UFC by a number of high-profile fighters, among them John Fitch, Cung Lee and Nate Quarry, for significant damages.

It’s based around a betrayal of trust by the MMA promoter. Though there have been few developments since the announcement it is the first time there has been a test to the UFC’s business practices and many will be wondering what ramifications there will be as a result.

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