In 2016 we are confronted with a distinct lack of superstars in MMA. Not superstars in the sense of breakthrough media sensations, but superstars in way that Anderson Silva was a superstar in his prime: dominant champions who appear almost godlike in the octagon and carry with him an aura of invincibility.
With Silva (and subsequently Weidman and Rockhold), Velasquez (and Werdum after him), Dos Anjos, Aldo, Lawler and McGregor all taking major Ls in recent years, the search for superheroes seems bleak. Of course everyone loses as father time takes his toll, but we are seeing champions apparently in their prime being derailed and stripped of their mystique at almost every major event.
Demetrious Johnson is the only dominant champ left (perhaps Jedrzejczyk could be included) but he fails to capture the imagination of fans in the same way that some of the sport's other greats did.
Curiously, it feels as though once a champion has acheived that level of greatness, I want nothing more than to see an unexpected underdog to unseat them. Once it actually happens, however, I'm left feeling empty with the realisation that yet another pugilistic superhero has been unmasked as a mere mortal.