2008 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years ever in mixed martial arts. As if 2007 wasn’t crazy enough with big upsets, big paydays, and the biggest match in UFC history, Chuck Liddell vs Wanderlei Silva.

Well I personally believe 2008 is going to be bigger and better. First of all Fedor has stated that he will be fighting Randy Couture in 2008. It’s not in stone but Fedor is adamant that the fight is going to happen. Anderson Silva, rated #2 pound for pound in the world, will be fighting Dan Henderson at UFC 82 for the Championship.

BJ Penn will be taking on Joe "Daddy" Stevenson for the interim lightweight title.

Let’s take a look at each of these bouts and also some bouts that I would like to see happen in 08. There are quite a few really good fights that could happen this year. Either way it is going to be really exciting in 2008.

Fedor Emelianenko vs Randy Couture - This is the fight that everyone is talking about and by far the biggest possible mixed martial arts event that could happen in 08. I think it is probably going to happen but you never know. Both fighters have stated that they want this fight to happen. It is just a matter of the stars lining up at the right time and place. If this fight happened it would no doubt be the biggest fight in the history of mma.

If anyone had a chance against Fedor it would be Couture in my book. He has shown time and time again that he has what it takes to overcome diversity and accomplish anything that he sets his mind to. This would be the ultimate match up but Couture would have to have the perfect game plan. Even then I don’t know if he could pull it off at his age. He definitely couldn’t strike with him. He would have to use his clinch and ground game to pull it out. If he ever got in range of Fedor’s heat seeking missile’s it would be lights out for sure. If he did take down Fedor it would be hard to stay there. It is next to impossible to keep Fedor on his back. He is so good at escapes and reversals. I can’t see Couture holding him down for very long. Basically there are only two ways Randy Could win this fight. He could win by decision if he can control him on the ground and use some gnp. Or he could win by lucky punch which every fighter has a chance of. There is no way he will submit Fedor or stop him with punches.

Anderson Silva vs Dan Henderson - This will be a very exciting fight. Both fighters are very aggressive and both are well rounded. I would look for Silva to keep it standing and Hendo to clinch and take him down. Silva has very good take down defense though so I think it will be hard for Hendo to get the takedown. Especially in the later rounds. He might be able to in the first round if he sets up his shots nicely which I am sure he will. If it does go to the ground I think Silva definitely has the advantage, at least submission wise. Hendo is a great wrestler but even if he is controlling the ground, I still think Silva can submit him. He will have to just unload so Silva can’t even think about submissions.

I am going to predict a stand up war in this one. I think Hendo will get a few takedowns but I think Silva will turn it into a slugfest. I think unfortunately Hendo will oblige and with his shorter reach get picked apart from a distance.

BJ Penn vs Joe Stevenson - I think this will be one of the best fights of the year. Both fight at an extremely high pace. I think this fight will boil down to conditioning. It will all depend on Penn’s cardio. We all know what he is capable of, but if it goes the distance, will he still be there in the end. Joe Daddy is always in phenomenal shape and will no doubt have the cardio to go the distance if need be. I just hope BJ’s cardio is there.

This fight will basically be non-stop madness from start to finish. I think BJ has the better stand up but I think it will be close on the ground. I think BJ will stand for a little and then look for the takedown. I think Joe will be looking for the takedown immediately after the bell rings. I can’t help but think back to the Penn Pierre fight. That was the most damage I have ever seen inflicted in that amount of time.

Here are some match ups I would like to see in 08

1. Nick Diaz vs Georges St. Pierre
2. BJ Penn vs Shawn Sherk
3. Jon Fitch vs Georges St. Pierre
4. Cung Lee vs Anderson Silva
5. Ken Shamrock vs Frank Shamrock