The UFC’s heavyweight division is one of the most interesting and at times disrespected divisions in MMA. Fans love to make fun of it, but we also love to watch heavyweight fighters perform. None more so than the division’s elite. And this weekend Stipe Miocic will rematch Daniel Cormier to defend his championship title.
Their UFC 252 PPV fight could redefine how fans see and understand the conversation around who is the greatest heavyweight of all time. The division has been filled with interesting and sport defining characters. From Fedor Emelianenko, and Mikro Cro Cop, to Fabricio Werdum, and Brock Lesnar. And heavyweight MMA, like the rest of the sport, has evolved over the decades.
So, how do they stack up against each other? How does Werdum compare to Lesnar or Daniel Cormier to Alistair Overeem? We’ll break all that down and pick out just who ranks where among the all time HW greats. It’s no easy task, and likely to result in at least a little controversy, but we think just about all MMA fans will agree that the final three slots are the unquestionable legends of the 265-lb division.
This weekend’s UFC 252 PPV could restructure the whole thing, however, and will likely fundamentally change the division for the future. No matter who wins, it sounds like Cormier is retiring. The heavyweight division potentially will have a vacant title, and will almost certainly be losing one of it’s greatest fighters.
How do you think this weekend will affect the goat list, and how do you feel about our goat list?