Current Champion: Cain Velasquez
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| HW Landscape |
Junior Dos Santos:
Despite losing to Velasquez quite decisively just last December, Dos Santos gets his rematch on October 19th at UFC 166. Although the HW division has grown over the last few years it still lacking in the title challengers department. It only took one win to get right back into a title fight with Velasquez. To his credit he does have a win over Velasquez and has made it pretty clear he's the best HW out there to fight Velasquez (even for the third time).
Daniel Cormier:
If Cormier and Velasquez weren't friends and training partners we would have seen them fight each other at UFC 160. They both have made it pretty clear they're not going to fight each other. On the very same card on October 19th, Cormier intends to fight for the last time as a HW against Roy Nelson. Even if Dos Santos wins at UFC 166 Cormier already has his eyes set on the LH title. Him and Jon Jones have been exchanging words these past few months and he could find himself fighting Jones in the near future. But he's gotta get past Nelson first.
Antonio 'BigFoot' Silva:
Notice above at the chart where you can see losses to Velasquez highlighted in yellow. That's not a good thing. Reason being is obvious; with a loss to the current champion its going to be very hard to get a rematch. Which makes things all the worst for 'Bigfoot' because he has two losses to the champion. With two losses to Velasquez it only puts 'Bigfoot' in no-mans-land. 'Bigfoot' will fight Mark Hunt in Australia in December but a win over Hunt doesn't take him out of his predicament.
Travis Browne:
Realistically speaking Browne could be one win away from title shot. In my eyes he should be the next in line for the title but it seems the UFC are headed in a different direction. Browne is rumored to be fighting Stipe Miocic on December on the UFC on Fox 9 card. With a win over Miocic people will be buzzing for Browne's inevitable title shot in 2014.
Alistair Overeem:
Upon signing with the UFC, Overeem turned down two title shots. Now, Overeem is nowhere near a title shot. Lets rewind. Overeem entered the UFC ranked #3 behind Velasquez and Dos Santos. Instead of fighting the winner of their match, Overeem opted to fight Brock Lesnar and he did so successfully and gets his title shot against JDS. Just weeks before his title fight he tests positive and is suspended ultimately returning at UFC 156 getting knocked out by 'Bigfoot' Silva followed by Browne this past August.
Fabricio Werdum:
Since losing to Overeem, Werdum has made a successful transition back into the UFC going 3-0 as of today. With back to back wins over Nelson, Russow, and Nogueira he may have enough on his resume to win over the UFC's vote and get the next title shot. I personally disagree because I believe Browne has surpassed him but it looks like the UFC is headed in that direction.
Josh Barnett:
The dark horse of the HW division is not so dark anymore. Even though is win over Mir ended in controversy, he did put his name into the hat of possible title challengers for Velasquez or Dos Santos. I personally would like a Werdum-Barnett title eliminator but your guess is as good as mine as to whats next for the Warmaster.
Frank Mir:
It's no secret Mir is fighting for his job on November 16th at UFC 167. Obviously crazier things have happened. If there is anyone who's immune from getting cut by the UFC its Mir. But for competitive reasons even if the UFC doesn't cut him (should he lose to Overeem) he might consider retirement. So a title shot is a foregone conclusion right now. Mir better just worry about getting back on the win column.
Antonio Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira:
Nogueira has obviously seen better days. Since losing the Interim title Nogueira has exchanged wins and losses. Since those wins have been to non top 10 competition he has only fallen down the rankings and he hasn't recovered. Nogueira seems to be fighting for the sake of competing. I think its safe to say his days fighting for a title are over.
Mark Hunt:
With Barnetts win over Mir Hunt has become my new dark horse of the HW division. Before losing to JDS, Hunt was riding the 4 fight winning streak. Even in defeat Hunt looked exceptionally good against JDS. Hunt will fight 'Bigfoot' in his native Australia on December 21st. A win over 'Bigfoot' puts him in a good spot for a title shot.
