Dec 7, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Ciryl Gane (red gloves) hugs Alexander Volkov (blues gloves) after their fight at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

UFC’S Heavyweight Division Receives Heavy Hate

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Gabriel Brand | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 2:18 PM ET

Once upon a time, there was no greater UFC moniker than being the heavyweight champion of the world. It all stems from boxing, where heavyweight champions such as Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, and Muhammad Ali were labeled “the baddest man on the planet”. MMA and specifically the UFC are no different. They’ve produced greats like Mark Coleman, Randy Couture, and Cain Velasquez, to name a few. Unfortunately, today’s landscape leaves something to be desired.

The list of issues appears to be quite extensive. Like any division in combat sports, it all starts at the top. Well, the top has been in limbo since the middle of 2024. Tom Aspinall was finally promoted to champion after negotiations with Jon Jones fell through. The UFC then scrambled to find a replacement, and the pride of France, Ciryl Gane was inserted. This wasn’t a fight anyone was clammering for at that time, but it began with promise, all before the fight ended in a no-contest due to a double eye poke.

With the evolution of modern MMA, the lack of skill in the heavyweight division has also become apparent. How Dire Is The UFC’s Heavyweight Situation, Really? With little to no cardio, minimal high-level grapplers, and basic stroking skills, fans can simply hope for that one power shot to end the fight and their misery. Too often, you see these fighters with their hands on their knees as they compete in a staring contest. MMA journalist Chuck Mindenhall compared it to “watching a gastrointestinal tract digest a calzone,” while Joe Rogan shared on his podcast that it was “the worst UFC heavyweight era ever”.

The next point that’s worth noting is that the division is extremely shallow. After the top six or seven, there’s a decent drop-off. Only two fighters in the top fifteen are under the age of thirty. So there doesn’t seem to be a ton of hope on the horizon. The few “popular” heavyweights that do exist outside of the UFC are seeing a dwindling division and a UFC contract that the bite might not be worth the chew. https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/02/14/10-stats-demonstrate-why-the-ufc-heavyweight-division-is-in-turmoil-amid-tom-aspinalls-absence/

Tuco Tokkos reacts after beating Junior Tafa during a UFC Fight Night heavyweight fight at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, July 12, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn.

End Of My UFC Heavyweight Rant

While the division is slow, shallow, and politically blocked, there are a few glimmers of hope to hold on to. Any punch can end a fight, and the elite heavyweights are still highly skilled. With the popularity of MMA and specifically the UFC growing, we can hope and dream that those super athletes we see in the NFL and other mainstream sports will find their way to the octagon.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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