With the UFC heavyweights taking heart stage, what’s going to subsequent 12 months seem like?

With the UFC heavyweights taking center stage, what will next year look like?

The UFC focus will fall on the heavyweights over the following two weeks, with 4 fighters from the division main the following two promotion occasions.

On Saturday, England’s Tom Aspinal (11-2) will play Alexander Volkov (34-9) in the principle occasion of UFC Combat Night time in London (1pm ET on ESPN+). The next week, Curtis Blaydes (15-3) will meet Chris Dawas (12-4) in Columbus. All 4 are ranked among the many division’s high 11 groups.

It is a enjoyable time on the heavyweight for a variety of causes. The way forward for present champion Francis Ngannou stays up within the air, as he’s set to obtain a brand new contract on the Final Combating Championship however is about to endure main knee surgical procedure and is within the midst of a contract dispute. Former heavyweight champion Jon Jones is anticipated to make his heavyweight debut someday in 2023 as nicely – a transfer he has derided for the higher a part of a decade.

With the division taking heart stage, let’s take this chance to analysis probably the most urgent questions in heavyweight.

What’s the newest information about Nganuo and his relationship with the UFC?

Nothing has actually modified since Ngannou fought his contract in January. Now remember that “fed his contract” is a relative clause as a result of it’s nonetheless topic to the hero clause. However Ngannou’s interpretation of his contract is that he’ll be a free agent on the finish of the 12 months, and he is already mentioned he will not struggle below this current contract once more – so, in observe, he is out with the UFC until he indicators a brand new deal.

Ngannou was in Africa not too long ago, to have a good time his newest title protection in opposition to Ciryl Gane. He is because of endure knee surgical procedure this week within the US, and will not struggle till 2023 no matter contract standing. He is made it clear that he desires to evaluate Tyson Fury subsequent.

All the points surrounding Ngannou’s contract negotiations within the UFC nonetheless exist, however the one factor everyone seems to be engaged on now’s time. There isn’t a rush to get a deal finished. Ngannou will not struggle once more this 12 months anyway, so there’s much less sense of urgency. This could make it simpler to get one thing finished.

Is Jon Jones a possible heavyweight champion this 12 months?

In fact this can be a chance. The UFC hasn’t mentioned a lot concerning the heavyweight division’s plans, as these plans start with Ngannou. However no matter whether or not Ngannou stays with the UFC or knocks off ultimately, it is prone to be a brief title struggle for the time being. As soon as once more, Ngannou won’t struggle once more in 2023 anyway because of knee surgical procedure. It is arduous to think about a state of affairs by which the UFC would permit 2023 in full with out a heavy struggle on the books.

I feel Jones desires to struggle again this 12 months after taking 2023 utterly. And I feel his debut as heavyweight will likely be with a title on the road, and rightfully so – Jones is probably the most dominant heavyweight champion in UFC historical past, and he has a powerful case for being the best MMA fighter ever. As of now, the most probably state of affairs is Jones vs Step Musick someday in 2023 for an interim title. Or, if issues go south with Ngannou contract negotiations, Jones-Miocic for the undisputed belt.

Which of the 4 heavyweights within the subsequent two weeks will the title contender quickly be?

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Flip again the clock to Tom Aspinall’s final UFC victory, a TKO victory over Sergey Spivak at UFC Combat Night time in September of 2023.

Spinal. Behind the scenes – and publicly too – there are lots of people with a very good fame at Aspinall.

He checks plenty of containers in heavyweight. It is quick. he ‘s younger. he’s good. It has good affect. Actually, it is a breath of contemporary air on this division. The heavyweight division is all the time in want of latest expertise and Espinal is correct there with Jane by way of thrilling new blood. The UFC clearly believes in him, relying on him to high this card in London – the primary promotional occasion in England since 2019.

The Blaydes generally is a downside for anybody who has their wrestling, however by way of ceiling – each by way of marketability and competitiveness – Aspinall is that man of the second in heavyweight.

Are former rivals Miocic, Gene and Derek Lewis now relegated to the Gatekeepers?

no. As we simply talked about, there’s a sturdy chance that Miocic’s subsequent struggle for the UFC Championship will likely be in opposition to Jones. Now, if he misplaced that battle, he would possibly look into the gatekeeper’s place.

Jen remains to be a child in MMA, particularly relating to the everyday age of a high heavyweight. We’re lower than three months away from being interim champion, and he practically beat Ngannou to develop into the undisputed champion. Gane might simply be the way forward for the heavyweight division. I’d say that his possibilities of changing into the UFC Champion earlier than his profession ends are very excessive.

As a lot as Lewis is, he is a great distance from one other title at this level, however I would not say the dream is over. As standard and constant as he’s… he might nonetheless declare the UFC title sooner or later. Time is not on his facet, however he simply fired Chris Dawkos 4 months in the past and was hitting Tai Toivasa in February earlier than being clipped in an change. He isn’t in gatekeeper mode but.

Who’s the UFC Heavyweight Champion this time subsequent 12 months?

a leg. I’ve gone backwards and forwards concerning the opportunity of Ngannou re-signing with the UFC. I believed it might positively occur, after which I used to be fairly certain it would not, and now I am again to pondering it might – however I am not very assured both method.

On the finish of the day, Ngannou’s re-signing with the UFC is sensible for all events. Ngannou desires to be with the UFC, if the contract is legitimate. The UFC desires to work with Ngannou as nicely. Why on earth not? The UFC desires to be the house of the most effective fighters on this planet, and Ngannou is among the greatest fighters on this planet.

As of immediately, I’ll say that Ngannou is the UFC Heavyweight Champion this time subsequent 12 months, with a model new UFC contract. However we’ll see how the negotiations will finish.