The UFC’s heavyweight division has seen some incredible fighters rise to the top in recent years. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the last 5 UFC heavyweight champions and their reigns, highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to the sport.
1. Jon Jones (2023-Current)
Considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, Jon Jones made a highly anticipated move up to the heavyweight division after a long break from fighting. In his first heavyweight bout at UFC 285, Jones showcased his dominance by submitting Cyril Gane in the first round to claim the UFC heavyweight crown. Although he is yet to defend his title due to injury, Jones remains one of the most renowned names in the UFC and the MMA community.
2. Francis Ngannou (2021-2023)
Known for his incredible punching power, Francis Ngannou secured the UFC heavyweight gold by delivering a ferocious knockout against Stipe Miocic at UFC 260. This victory marked Ngannou’s second attempt at the title, having previously lost to Miocic in their first encounter. After defending his belt against former teammate Ciryl Gane, Ngannou made the decision to leave the UFC and join the Professional Fighters League (PFL), vacating the title.
3. Stipe Miocic (2019-2021)
Stipe Miocic, a heavyweight legend, enjoyed his second reign with the UFC heavyweight belt. Seeking revenge against Daniel Cormier, Miocic reclaimed the title at UFC 241 and successfully defended it against Cormier in their third bout. However, his reign came to an end when he faced Francis Ngannou and suffered a defeat.
4. Daniel Cormier (2018-2019)
Daniel Cormier’s path to the heavyweight championship began with a victory over Stipe Miocic at UFC 226. This win not only made Cormier the heavyweight champion but also earned him the distinction of being a two-division champion, as he already held the light heavyweight title at the time. Cormier’s reign included a successful defense against Derrick Lewis and he became the the first fighter to defend titles in two weight classes. Ultimately losing the title to Stipe Miocic at UFC 241.
5. Stipe Miocic (2016-2018)
Stipe Miocic’s first reign as the UFC heavyweight champion solidified his status as one of the greatest heavyweights in the sport’s history. His journey began with a victory over Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198, where he captured the belt for the first time. Miocic went on to defend his title three times in a row, defeating the likes of Alistair Overeem, Junior Dos Santos, and Francis Ngannou. Ultimately, his reign came to an end when he faced Daniel Cormier at UFC 226.
The current situation in UFC’s heavyweight division is uncertain. Tom Aspinall, the interim champion, is requesting a fight against champion Jon Jones. However, Jon Jones is currently injured and has recently undergone two surgeries. Additionally, Jon Jones wants to fight Stipe Miocic, considered the “Greatest of All Time” in the UFC heavyweight division. As a result, the future of the UFC heavyweight division remains unclear. Whatever happens in the future, the division is full of entertainment, and we are excitedly anticipating it.