The UFC heavyweight division, once the most exciting and glamorous weight class in mixed martial arts, is now facing a steep decline, prompting calls for urgent intervention to save it. In the past, icons like Stipe Miocic, Cain Velasquez, Brock Lesnar, and Randy Couture made the division the sport’s spotlight, but today it largely features fighters who struggle to deliver compelling performances.
This downturn was highlighted at UFC 325 when Tallison Teixeira defeated Tai Tuivasa in a lackluster bout, leading many fans to express frustration and question whether the heavyweight category should even continue to exist.
Brendan Schaub Proposes Major Signings to Revive the Division
Former UFC competitor Brendan Schaub, who once faced elite fighters such as Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Gabriel Gonzaga, offered insight on how the heavyweight division might be revitalized. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Schaub suggested signing some high-profile athletes to restore excitement and credibility to the class.
The heavyweight division is so bad,
Schaub said.
“It’s such a shell of what it is used to be, even when I fought. It used to be so good.”
He recalled the superior quality of earlier heavyweight competitions, mentioning that events like the PRIDE heavyweight grand prix and even Bellator fights from a decade ago surpassed the current UFC standards. Schaub explained that the division once featured a “murderer’s row” of top-tier fighters, but now falls short of those heights.
If they signed Rico (Verhoeven), if they came to an understanding with Francis (Ngannou), if they signed Gable Steveson, we’re at least cooking with some gas that makes it exciting,
he added.
Schaub emphasized the need for decisive action, stating that the current champion is sidelined due to serious eye surgery with a nine-month recovery, while Jon Jones, the division’s biggest draw, is seeking just one more fight, which may or may not come soon.
If you do it at the White House it’s against Alex Pereira. OK. I know Dana has his issue with Francis, but he’s by far the biggest free agent out there. By far.
Rico Verhoeven, a prominent heavyweight figure, was reportedly offered a UFC debut but chose to continue his career in boxing, leaving the UFC without one key potential talent.
Dana White’s Reluctance to Reintegrate Francis Ngannou
Despite calls from the MMA community and former fighters like Schaub, UFC President Dana White has dismissed the possibility of Francis Ngannou returning to the promotion. Ngannou remains the most significant free agent in heavyweight MMA, and his involvement is seen by many as critical to restoring the division’s appeal. White’s hesitation complicates efforts to rejuvenate the top-heavyweight roster and secure a brighter future for the category.
The current situation has left fans, fighters, and insiders anxious about the direction of the heavyweight class, as the sport risks losing one of its historically most thrilling divisions without swift and strategic action from UFC leadership.
