11 for '11 (Part 1)

   The start of the new year is always the best time to hope, since there is a ton of time to get things done.  The start of 2011, then, is where I will post the 11 things I hope will happen in the sports world in 2011.  Pleas enote that I used the word HOPE and not WISH, so I cannot put "Peping Cojuanco resigns from POC as one of the 11, since it's impossible"  I've also ranked the 11 based on my level of desire to see it happen and on each item's feasibility.

11.  New weight divisions prosper in the UFC

     Folding the WEC into the UFC was big news, but we have yet to see how well it really goes for the UFC.  This year, the UFC will feature Bantam and Featherweight Divisions, and finally top dogs like Jose Aldo, Urijah Faber and Anthony Pettis will get their chance to shine on the big stage.  I think it will be interesting to see the lighter weight divisions fight MMA and I hope early fights bring exciting stoppages to get the casual fans to buy into the lighter weight divisions.  

10.  Batista returns to WWE


     Last year, Filipino-American Dave Bautista (Batista) retired from the WWE and speculation was he was embarking on a new endeavor.  Rumors then swirled around that the new endeavor was fighting in MMA, particularly Strikeforce.  There were, in fact, videos showing him training in striking and grappling.  Whatever plans for MMA though were scrapped as even Strikeforc claimed there never were any talks.  I'm a big Batista fan, but I would really love it if he stayed away from MMA.  He's a little long in the tooth to be learning new tricks and he doesn't really have a wrestling background like Brock Lesnar or Bobby Lashley.  Besides, it would be nice to have a Filipino dominate the headlines of pro wrestling again.

9.  Pacquiao fights more than once this year

     Almost all boxing writers abroad are up in arms over the choice of Shane Mosley as Pacman's next assignment, with many writing off Mosley as too old to do any damage.  Whether that is true or not, I think Mosley is fine as an adversary. Besides, he had been clamoring to fight Pacquiao for years and not fighting him because he's too old will just spur Manny's detractors' claims that Pacquiao is afraid of Mosley, and African-American fighters in general.  What is important for me, though, is that Pacman fights twice this year, so he can maul another challenger, whether it be Juan Manuel Marquez or Andre Berto or Timothy Bradley.  Fact is, everyone's criticizing Manny about his choice of opponents, but thye have to give him time to fight all of them one by one.

8.  Ana Ivanovic wins a major title.

     Ivanovic announced her greatness to the world by winning the 2008 French Open title and it seemed like more would come.  Injuries, however, have struck her down, leaving her a difficult 2009 season.  2010 seemed to look like more of the same but she rebounded by finishing strong, winning the Tournament of Champions in Bali and ending the year in the top 20 again.  Meanwhile, she has shown stellar play in the Hopman Cup, teaming with Novak Djokovic and they did reach the finals. Unfortunately, Ivanovic pulled out due to a stomach injury.  To add to all of that, Ivanovic also shows a golden heart, just recently making a donation to victims of an earthquake in her native Serbia.  With many writing her off as a choker without understanding the extent of her injuries, I think it would be great for Ivanovic to win another major title this year and shut those people up. 

7.  A new Pinoy MMA fighter steps up 


      For years, Brandon Vera has been the face of Filipino in MMA.  His recent record, including two bad losses to Thiago Silva and Jon Jones are clear signs he is on his way out.  MMA is very popular here but it would be nice to have a countryman represent us in the UFC, the big stage for MMA.  Whether it will be Mark "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" Munoz or someone new, I'm hoping for some UFC, Pinoy-style this year.  Anyone know if Alan Co plans on fighting again? The UFC has featherweights now.

6.  A true improved SEA Games showing 


     Of course, everyone says the right things now.  How we will train and form teams early, get sponsors and go on foreign exposure trips.  The question is, will any of those things happen and will those lead to a better SEA Games finish?  As the PSC and POC have continued to run things their way and remove anyone who shows the gall to call them on their erring ways, my only hope comes from private sponsors like Mikee Romero and Manny Pangilinan.  Hopefully their financial aid is enough to counteract the the two agencies' chronic ability to screw things up and give us at least a top three overall finish.


(to be continued)

 pictures courtesy of philstar.com, nazcarpine.com, pnoyapparel.com