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Forecasting UFC Champions, Class of 2021

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Even as the outside world wandered about in a fog of chaos and uncertainty, the title picture in the Ultimate Fighting Championship remained unusually stable throughout 2020. In fact, no sitting champion suffered a defeat during the calendar year, and the only three belts to change hands—light heavyweight, bantamweight and flyweight—did so when a titleholder either vacated his throne or outright retired. Perhaps it was the calm before the proverbial storm, as the next 12 months shape up to be far more tumultuous than their predecessors.