The Rock JOINS the Hard Place

One of the best pieces of sports news to come out of last week was the announced merger of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting, to happen in 2011. This is a wonderful surprise for mixed martial arts fans, a legion that keeps growing and growing. It brings the two biggest organizations under one roof and will deliver a number of pluses to spectators, fighters, and moneymen alike.

Here is what ESPNs Jason Lagendorf says that we can expect from the merger:

• Deeper fights card - UFC cards have become undeniably leaner over time, especially as fan sophistication grows and expectations are raised. You want us? Fine, you got us. Now give us enough reasons to stick around.
• Greater appreciation for 'outside' promotions - it won't overlook the good stuff happening in some of the other circuits, most notably Strikeforce and Bellator.
• A lightweight royal rumble - the UFC has divisional hierarchies and matchmaking that are mostly fair and transparent.
• No more Napoleon Complex - the lower weight classes routinely put on some of the best fights around, at least they'll get a chance to enjoy the same exposure as the big boys.
  
• OK, it's all about Jose - one subject has captivated MMA fans in recent months, when will Aldo make the jump?

This is what boxing should have done years ago instead of degenerating into the farce that the sport has become. In the way of that happening are huge egos and too much money to ever let go. The principals have become the sport. But with the merger of UFC and WEC the fans get top fighting and better class of promotions. All the best stuff possible. MMA is here to stay, now bigger and better than before.