Heavyweight
1. Fabricio Werdum (20-5-1)
Werdum became the 14th undisputed UFC heavyweight champion in June 2015, unifying his interim title with that of two-time champ Cain Velasquez by submitting the American Kickboxing Academy star via a third-round guillotine choke. Once considered a one-dimensional grappler with limited striking, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has evolved into a well-rounded mixed martial artist, as evidenced by the potent standup which precipitated his finish of Velasquez and previous stoppage of Mark Hunt. Since rejoining the UFC three years ago, Werdum has gone 6-0 with two submissions and two knockouts. He will defend his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 198 on May 14.2. Cain Velasquez (13-2)
Returning from an injury-laden layoff of nearly two years, Velasquez struggled mightily and ultimately surrendered his heavyweight crown to Fabricio Werdum at UFC 188. Whether due to ring rust or the Mexico City altitude, Velasquez faded fast after the opening round; by the third frame, Werdum’s strikes rocked him into an ill-advised takedown attempt which ended in a guillotine choke submission. It was the first submission loss of Velasquez’s career and his first defeat since falling to Junior dos Santos in November 2011. The former champion will return to the cage opposite Travis Browne at UFC 200.3. Alistair Overeem (41-14, 1 NC)
Fighting before a Dutch crowd for the first time since 2009, “The Demolition Man” lived up to his name on May 8 by blowing up Andrei Arlovski with a second-round front kick and follow-up punches. After the win -- his fourth in a row, including three knockouts -- Overeem called for a shot at the UFC heavyweight title, which could mean a rubber match with old rival Fabricio Werdum.4. Junior dos Santos (18-4)
Dos Santos executed a perfect game plan in his April 10 bout with Ben Rothwell, as the hard-hitting Brazilian used his speed and boxing prowess to beat Rothwell to the punch for five rounds. It was the sharpest outing for “Cigano” since he lost his UFC heavyweight belt to Cain Velasquez in 2013; now, dos Santos will look to string together back-to-back wins for the first time since 2011.5. Stipe Miocic (14-2)
Miocic’s savage beating of Mark Hunt lasted the better part of five rounds, but the Ohioan needed only 54 seconds to take out Andrei Arlovski with punches at UFC 195. The first-round finish moved Miocic’s Octagon record to 8-2 and prompted the 6-foot-4 big man to call for the next shot at the UFC heavyweight title. He will get his wish when he challenges Fabricio Werdum for the championship on May 14.6. Andrei Arlovski (25-12, 1 NC)
Arlovski’s chin could not hold up under the weight of Alistair Overeem’s firepower, as “The Pit Bull” fell via second-round stoppage against the Dutchman in their May 8 encounter. The former UFC heavyweight champ has now lost back-to-back bouts for the first time since 2011, ending the four-fight Octagon winning streak which had propelled Arlovski back to the cusp of title contention.7. Ben Rothwell (36-10)
Rothwell’s surprising romp through the heavyweight division came to an end on April 10, when he was battered for the better part of 25 minutes by the quicker, slicker boxing of ex-champ Junior dos Santos. “Big Ben” had won four in a row heading into that bout, including surprising finishes against the likes of Josh Barnett and Alistair Overeem.8. Mark Hunt (12-10-1)
Hunt recorded another walk-off knockout on March 19, when he starched former UFC champ Frank Mir with a single punch in Brisbane, Australia. Hunt’s record may not be a flashy one, but the “Super Samoan” has gone 3-2 in his last five outings with losses only to current champion Fabricio Werdum and top contender Stipe Miocic.9. Travis Browne (18-3-1)
Browne collected an ugly, foul-marred win on Jan. 17 in Boston, as he polished off Matt Mitrione with third-round punches after twice poking him in the eye. Nonetheless, the fight put “Hapa” back in the win column eight months after he was knocked out by Andrei Arlovski. Browne began his UFC stint on a 7-1-1 tear but has alternated wins and losses in his last four outings. The Hawaiian will be back in action at UFC 200, where he will battle former champion Cain Velasquez.10. Vitaly Minakov (17-0)
Bellator’s unbeaten heavyweight champion is back, but he is not competing inside the Bellator MMA cage. Minakov remains under contract with the stateside promotion, though the two parties have reached a “stalemate” regarding his next fight, according to the fighter’s management. In the meantime, Minakov has racked up three wins in his native Russia, most recently scoring a Dec. 11 submission of ex-UFC fighter Josh Copeland.Other Contenders: Josh Barnett, Karol Bedorf, Ruslan Magomedov, Matt Mitrione, Roy Nelson.
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