The UFC heavyweight division has hit all-time low. In a division that beforehand spearheaded a variety of UFC PPVs, the division is at an all-time, unexciting low. We’ve got a champion in Jon Jones who doesn’t combat, seemingly isn’t fascinated by defending his belt in opposition to the subsequent logical contender, the interim champion, Tom Aspinall. The UFC heavyweight division boasts only one fighter who has a win streak of 5 or above on the weight in Tallison Teixeira. Evaluate that to the featherweight division, for instance, 5 fighters boast a report of seven straight wins or extra.
There are few thrilling fights to be made at heavyweight and solely one of many prime 5 is presently booked for a combat.
Shockingly, there have been solely 9 heavyweight fights in 2025. 2024 solely noticed 12 as much as the identical level (the start of Might) and 2023 simply 13.
We check out three causes the UFC heavyweight division is dying and what might be performed to revive it from the depths it presently lies.
Why is the UFC Heavyweight Division Dying?
An Inactive Champion
Jon Jones. Arguably the GOAT of your entire sport. By no means been overwhelmed apart from a controversial DQ. A two-weight world champion. A person who can dominate wherever the combat goes, whether or not it’s on the ft or on the bottom. Legendary performances in opposition to Alexander Gustaffson, Daniel Cormier and again within the day, Lyoto Machida are a factor of the previous for the king of the UFC heavyweight division.
His heavyweight resume, nevertheless, is questionable. He received the vacant belt when he took on Ciryl Gane in a combat which was closely in his favour on the subject of types in addition to being a combat wherein Gane didn’t appear fascinated by profitable. After taking a 12 months and a half out of the octagon, Jones returned to tackle Stipe Miocic. Miocic had been out of the octagon for over three years, was 42 on the time and regarded like a person who didn’t need to be in there with Jones on the time. Not search for Bones.
There appears to be an outright refusal to offer the interim champion, Tom Aspinall, the prospect to combat for the undisputed belt. However why? Is he scared? If he ducking the younger up and comer? Does he merely not consider that Aspinall deserves the combat?
No matter occurs, information don’t lie. Jones has made the octagon stroll simply twice in over 5 years, and solely twice at heavyweight. He’s averaging a combat each 31 months over 5 years. For context, Aspinall hadn’t debuted within the UFC when Jones determined to maneuver as much as heavyweight and has gone 8-1 within the time that Jones has gone 2-0.
An inactive champion is what’s predominantly killing the UFC heavyweight division and that should change.
Shallow Division
The UFC heavyweight division can also be devoid of stars or compelling match-ups. There’s a distinct lack of ‘new blood’. If we glance down the divisions, new names equivalent to Carlos Ulberg, Caio Borralho, Jack Della Maddalena, Paddy Pimblett, and Lerone Murphy are collaborating in aggressive, ranking-defining fights. Within the heavyweight division, this doesn’t occur.
There are solely three fights scheduled for ranked fighters at heavyweight. There was a definite lack of finishes at heavyweight, with solely six finishes in 2025. Is anybody actually bothered concerning the heavyweight division?
Realistically, are there aggressive fights to be made? Is there any jeopardy for the champions of the division? Tom Aspinall has comprehensively overwhelmed #3, #4, #5, #7 and #8. Jailton Almeida is the most well liked ‘prospect’ at heavyweight, nevertheless, everybody already is aware of his grappling-heavy recreation.
Realistically, we’d like 4-5 new heavyweights to enter the UFC with ending instincts, who’re younger sufficient {that a} loss doesn’t outline them. Vadim Nemkov should come over to the UFC… quickly.
Lack of Megastars… or Stars in Common
Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos. These are simply 4 former UFC heavyweights which have headlined a complete host of PPVs and Struggle Nights between them.
Not a single UFC heavyweight combat has headlined both a PPV or a Struggle Evening this 12 months, nor are any scheduled. Final 12 months noticed solely 4 heavyweight headliners. 2023 noticed seven. Evaluate that to middleweight, the place there have already been 4 headliners in 2025. Welterweight has seen two important occasions and has three headline spots scheduled.
Solely a handful of fighters are assured field workplace. Derrick Lewis has probably the most knockouts in UFC historical past (15), however he has enormous flaws. Though Almeida is dominant, his preventing fashion isn’t fan-friendly. Aspinall is should watch. Jones will all the time herald eyes.
Apart from these males, the remainder of the UFC heavyweight division present a ‘take it or go away it’ feeling. If you happen to don’t see their fights, so what? You received’t miss a lot.
We’d like one other Lesnar, a genetic (albeit juiced (allegedly)) beast. One other Uberreem, one other Velasquez. Assured headliners who, definitely, will attract large crowds, enormous numbers and have followers on the sting of their seats for the UFC heavyweight division as soon as once more. As issues stand, nevertheless, this doesn’t seem like on the horizon.
