UFC Heavyweight Division Update

What Next for Francis Ngannou and the UFC?

It was well known even before Francis Ngannou’s win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 that the Cameroonian fighter was unhappy with his current contract. He, alongside a number of other fighters, feels that they are being short-changed by the UFC and deserve more.
 
With Ngannou now out for around ten months because of injury, there is something of a void at the top of the heavyweight division. That absence may turn more permanent if he decides to leave the organization altogether. But if Ngannou is not to return to UFC, who should you be backing at the best UFC betting sites in the year ahead? Read on to discover the best of the rest of the heavyweights.
 
Stipe Miocic, United States
 
This two-time heavyweight champion is considered by some to be one of the best UFC fighters of all time and is now rumored to be hashing out the details of an interim championship fight – possibly against Jon Jones. That would be an eagerly anticipated bout but Miocic was unhappy that he was overlooked last year, when Gane and Lewis were preferred.
 
The 39-year-old had taken some time off to recuperate and spend time with his family but probably would have liked to have been asked – at least – to compete. Now, with Ngannou out with a knee injury and uncertainty about his return, Miocic could come back to have a shot at the title that he lost to the Cameroonian at UFC 260.
 
Ciryl Gane, France
 
Gane was handed his first ever career loss by Ngannou at UFC 270 but will be keen to have another shot at the champion. That will probably come via an interim bout again – possibly against Stipe Miocic. Gane definitely wants a rematch but Ngannou is now sidelined for at least the rest of 2022.
 
The Frenchman definitely has time on his side though, so he could even look further down the UFC heavyweight rankings for an opponent if he is willing to. That might not be the worst option for Gane as he looks to refine his skills and tactics before a possible rematch with Ngannou.

 
Derrick Lewis, United States
 
Lewis lost to Gane in the interim heavyweight champion bout in August of last year but then came back to defeat Chris Daukaus by knockout at the end of 2021. At 36 years of age, Lewis is regarded as a classic heavyweight and has the record for most KOs in UFC history.
 
Next up will be the scheduled fight against Tai Tuivasa at UFC 271 in February. Although Tuivasa is an accomplished fighter in his own right, it would be something of an upset if Lewis didn’t come through that one relatively unharmed and in a better position to demand a title fight of his own.
 
Curtis Blaydes, United States
 
Before Derrick Lewis was beaten by Ciryl Gane, he defeated Curtis Blaydes – and it is that last fighter that is now looking for a way back to rise through the heavyweight rankings. He has not fought since winning by unanimous decision over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 266 in September of last year.
 
With Jon Jones reportedly wanting a new challenge at this weight, a fight against Blaydes would make for an interesting watch. But, even though he has consistently ranked high in this division, it is not clear whether he has the pulling power of some of the other fighters.
 
Alexander Volkov, Russia
 
Volkov, currently ranked 5th in the heavyweight division, has been fighting under the UFC banner since 2016 and is now looking to move upward. But he has already lost to three of the names on this list and is set to face British fighter Tom Aspinall in London, England in March.
 
Defeat there would really set his plans back. But an expected victory could see the Russian fighter boost his chances of a rematch against one of Lewis, Blaydes or Gane.