Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Heavyweight
1. Francis Ngannou (17-3) [1]
Ngannou displayed a significant step in his evolution at UFC 270, as he relied on takedowns and positional control to grind out a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane to unify the heavyweight title at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 22. While it wasn’t the most thrilling performance, the effort speaks volumes about Ngannou’s resolve, when in previous fights he struggled to do anything of note when forced to go past the second round. “The Predator” now faces an uncertain future, as he is unhappy with the way he has been treated by the UFC and seems willing to sit out for a significant period of time unless the two sides are able to come to terms. Regardless of how that happens, Ngannou will be sidelined for approximately nine months due to knee surgery.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 (10-1) [3]
Gane appeared to be on cruise control through 10 minutes against Francis Ngannou, as he relied on his technical striking acumen to rack up a lead on the scorecards in the UFC 270 headliner. However, once his former MMA Factory stablemate shifted gears to a wrestling-based attack, Gane struggled to remain upright, which led to a unanimous decision loss in the most unlikely of fashions. Heading into UFC 270, the French heavyweight was touted as someone who could potentially reign for years atop the heavyweight division. That could still be possible, but in the immediate future “Bon Gamin” has questions to answer following his first career defeat.4. Tai Tuivasa (14-3) [4]
Tuivasa went head-to-head with Derrick Lewis and got the better of “The Black Beast,” sending his opponent face first to the canvas with a standing-elbow KO in the second-round of their heavyweight co-main event at UFC 271 on Feb. 12. After suffering a three-bout losing streak from December 2018 to October 2020, “Bam Bam” has resurrected his career with a five-bout winning streak that has seen him finishes all of his victims via knockout or technical knockout. Another ranked opponent should be up next for the affable Australian.5. Derrick Lewis (26-9, 1 NC) [5]
Normally it’s Lewis who wins the slugfests, but at UFC 271, “The Black Beast” face planted after absorbing a vicious standing elbow in the second round of his co-main event bout against Tai Tuivasa on Feb. 12. It’s the second time Lewis has suffered a disheartening defeat in his native Houston, but the UFC’s all-time knockout leader figures to remain a popular attraction for the promotion given his penchant for finishes and sound bites.6. Curtis Blaydes (16-3, 1 NC) [6]
Blaydes showcased a different dimension to his game in the UFC on ESPN 33 headliner, as he utilized his hands to put away former Philadelphia police officer Chris Daukaus via second-round technical knockout at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 26. The heavyweight division’s all-time takedown leader is still most dangerous due to his wrestling and more importantly, remains a relevant contender with six wins in his last seven Octagon appearances. With reigning champ Francis Ngannou potentially sidelined for the rest of 2022, “Razor” Blaydes called for an interim title clash against Ciryl Gane in the aftermath of his latest victory.7. Tom Aspinall (12-2) [7]
On the biggest stage of his career to date, Aspinall ran through Alexander Volkov in a way that few fighters have, winning via first-round submission in the UFC Fight Night 204 headliner at the O2 Arena in London on March 19. In addition to scoring the biggest victory of his career to date, Aspinall now boasts a five-bout finishing streak in UFC competition. The Team Kaobon representative is an exciting new face in the division, and he used his post-fight microphone time to call for a showdown with another surging heavyweight, Tai Tuivasa.8. Alexander Volkov (34-10) [8]
Volkov has tasted defeat in the Octagon before, but it’s rare that an opponent runs roughshod over the towering Russian in the manner that Tom Aspinall did in the UFC Fight Night 204 main event in London on March 19. Volkov had very few moments of note before succumbing to a straight armbar from his opponent at the 3:45 mark of Round 1 — his first submission defeat since 2010. “Drago” has lost two of his last three Octagon appearances.9. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (12-3) [9]
Rozenstruik was unable to pull the trigger consistently enough against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 266, as he was taken down in each round en route to a unanimous decision defeat at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sept. 25. When “Bigi Boy” does find an opening to showcase his considerable power, the results are impressive but when he doesn’t, the action can sometimes slow to a crawl in his fights. Rozenstruik has lost three of his last five promotional outings. Next, he’ll lock horns with Marcin Tybura at UFC 273.10. Marcin Tybura (22-7) [10]
Tybura’s improbable resurgence came to an end at UFC 267, as he dropped a unanimous decision to Alexander Volkov at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 30. The former M-1 Global champion struggled to land takedowns against a considerably larger opponent, and his five-bout winning streak was snapped in defeat. Tybura will attempt to bounce back when he faces Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 273.Other Contenders: Ryan Bader, Valentin Moldavsky, Chris Daukaus, Fedor Emelianenko, Philip De Fries.
Continue Reading » Light Heavyweight