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Heavyweight
1. Francis Ngannou (16-3) [1]
Ngannou brought the same ferocious knockout power into his rematch with Stipe Miocic at UFC 260, but improved takedown defense allowed him to use it much more effectively. The end result was a second-round knockout victory that made “The Predator” the 17th heavyweight champion in UFC history. The Cameroonian-born Frenchman has laid waste to some of the division’s best during his run to the top and if the promotion can make it happen, a victory over light heavyweight GOAT Jon Jones would only add to his overall legacy. For now, Ngannou will wait on the sidelines as Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane square off for interim heavyweight gold at UFC 265.2. Stipe Miocic (20-4) [2]
When his wrestling failed against Francis Ngannou in the UFC 260 headliner, so did Miocic’s bid to make another successful heavyweight championship defense. Miocic saw his reign end in a second-round KO defeat at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on March 27, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Ohio-based firefighter has already established himself as the organization’s most consistent heavyweight king with records for most victories in title bouts and consecutive title defenses. Though requesting a trilogy wouldn’t be out of line for the 38-year-old, Miocic’s Octagon forays have become less frequent in recent years, making it unclear when he might be willing to return for another matchup with Ngannou – or anyone.3. Ciryl Gane (10-0) [5]
Gane was nearly flawless at UFC 265, as he outlanded Derrick Lewis by a whopping 98-to-16 count in significant strikes on the way to a third-round technical knockout victory at the Toyota Center in Houston on Aug. 7. In victory, Gane extended his UFC winning streak to seven — the second longest in heavyweight history — and claimed the interim heavyweight crown. More importantly, the Frenchman known as “Bon Gamin” sets up a showdown with former training partner Francis Ngannou for the undisputed title.4. Daniel Cormier (22-3, 1 NC) [3]
Cormier had a chance to end his mixed martial arts tenure in style at UFC 252, but it simply wasn’t meant to be. The American Kickboxing Academy captain engaged in a competitive five-round battle in his heavyweight championship trilogy against Stipe Miocic, battling through a knockdown and an eye poke to ultimately lose a unanimous decision. In the aftermath of the defeat, Cormier reiterated his plans to retire, stating that he is only interested in fighting for championships at this point in his career. If it does indeed prove to be farewell, the former two-division champion is a surefire UFC Hall of Famer when the time comes. However, there’s always a chance “DC” won’t want to go out with a loss.5. Derrick Lewis (25-8, 1 NC) [4]
Lewis simply had no answer for Ciryl Gane in the UFC 265 headliner, as he fell to the well-rounded Frenchman via third-round technical knockout despite having a supportive hometwon Houston throng behind him. Lewis sees a four-bout winning streak snapped, and he falls to 0-2 in heavyweight title bouts. Despite his shortcomings, “The Black Beast” remains one of the promotion’s most popular and entertaining fighters.6. Curtis Blaydes (14-3, 1 NC) [6]
While it seemed likely that Blaydes would use his wrestling to overwhelm Derrick Lewis in the UFC Fight Night 185 headliner, it was a takedown attempt that ultimately led to his demise when Lewis dropped him with a powerful uppercut in the second round of their Feb. 20 bout in Las Vegas. Blaydes remains a difficult matchup for many in the division thanks to his wrestling acumen (he’s the all-time heavyweight leader in takedowns), but a trio of knockout losses in UFC competition indicates that his chin can fail him in critical moments. Blaydes will look to bounce back when he faces Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 266.7. Alexander Volkov (33-9) [7]
After back-to-back technical knockout triumphs against Walt Harris and Alistair Overeem, Volkov had a chance to stake a serious claim to title contention against Ciryl Gane in the UFC Fight Night 190 main event. Alas, the former Bellator and M-1 Global champion had no answers for the technical striking of his opponent, as he lost a convincing five-round verdict at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on June 26. “Drago” is 7-3 since joining the UFC in 2016, with his only losses coming to top contenders in Gane, Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis. Volkov will return to face Marcin Tybura at UFC 267.8. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (12-2) [8]
Rozenstruik showed the difference between patient and tepid at UFC Fight Night 189, as he patiently waited for his opening before finishing Augusto Sakai at the 4:59 mark of Round 1 in the evening’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on June 5. It was a much-needed rebound effort following a lackluster five-round defeat to Ciryl Gane in February, and it gives “Bigi Boy” six wins in eight UFC appearances – all via knockout or technical knockout. The Surinamese fighter will return to action against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 266.9. Alistair Overeem (47-19, 1 NC) [9]
Overeem has managed to extend his career thanks to a more measured approach that usually protects his declining chin. However, his tactics simply didn’t work at UFC Fight Night 184, where he was bloodied and battered by Alexander Volkov in a second-round TKO defeat on Feb. 6. Coming in, the Dutchman had won four of his previous five Octagon appearances and still entertained hopes of another UFC title run. Now, those dreams appear to be extinguished for good — especially considering that Overeem was released from his UFC contract in March. Overeem will return to the kickboxing realm after signing with Glory Kickboxing.10. Junior dos Santos (21-9) [10]
It’s been tough sledding of late for dos Santos, who has dropped four consecutive UFC bouts by knockout or technical knockout. The most recent defeat was also the most difficult to swallow for the former heavyweight king, as he believes Ciryl Gane utilized illegal elbows in his first-round stoppage win at UFC 256 this past December. Regardless, the 37-year-old Brazilian must hope his chin holds up as he attempts to regain the form that saw him win four of five Octagon appearances from 2016 to 2019. “Cigano” will have do to so outside the UFC, as he was released from the Las Vegas-based promotion in March.Other Contenders: Marcin Tybura, Valentin Moldavsky, Timothy Johnson, Tom Aspinall, Chris Daukaus.
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