1: Cain Velasquez: It’s been a few years since we had a multi-time undisputed heavyweight champion but we finally have one in the form of the Mexican native. For almost a year the loss to Junior dos Santos fuelled this cardio machine on his road back to the title, running through Antonio “Big Foot” Silva in the process in a match that turned into a bloodbath. Finally he got his wish of a rematch with “Cigano” and put on a five round clinic to once again capture the gold.
2: Junior dos Santos: It was going so well for the Brazilian knockout artist. Nine fights into his octagon career, seven finishes inside the distance and crowned the heavyweight champion of the world. Perhaps it was injury, perhaps it was underestimating an opponent he’d already blown through only a year before but it all came crashing down around “Cigano’s” ears when he was defeated for the title by Cain Velasquez at UFC 155 last time out.
3: Daniel Cormier: The wrestling powerhouse has gone from strength to strength over the past year, going from relative unknown and a stand-in for the Strikeforce heavyweight grand-prix to stepping in at the semi-finals stage and defeating top ten ranked fighters such as Antonio “Big Foot” Silva and Josh Barnett to capture the title and rocket up the ranks. He made his octagon debut in April, defeating former champion Frank Mir via decision.
4: Fabricio ‘Vai Cavalo’ Werdum: Despite dethroning the greatest heavyweight mixed martial artist of all time, Fabricio Werdum’s tepid performance has seen the Brazilian receive few plaudits of late. That all changed with his three-round demolition of Roy Nelson in February. Werdum still has some way to go before he’s in line for a shot at the title, but his battering of ‘Big Country’ and a win over the tough Mike Russow in June were steps in the right direction.
5: Antonio “Big Foot” Silva: Many were saying the giant Brazilian’s career was on the rocks after suffering a bloody battering at the hands of Cain Velasquez but with all great stories the man dubbed “Big Foot” has battled back from the brink. Back-to-back victories inside the octagon over the previously undefeated Travis Browne and former multi-time world champion, Alistair Overeem has put him right back in the title mix.
6: Alistair “The Reem” Overeem: The giant Dutchman now has the biggest of question marks hanging over his head after he was stopped by Antonio “Big Foot” Silva when it looked harder to lose the fight, than win it. Large amounts of time off due to injury, ill health and failed drug tests have meant this fighter has gone from being an active member of the international circuit to fighting once every fifteen months.
7: Mark Hunt: The divisions fairytale story over the past few years has been the “Super Samoan”. After posting a five-fight losing streak his career record stood at 5-7 and despite being signed to the UFC due to the deal with PRIDE it was clear they didn’t want him. Hunt decided to stay and fight for his job and despite losing his octagon debut he has since posted four straight wins over a host of talented names in the heavyweight division.
8: Frank Mir: After being unable to claim back to back wins since 2008, Frank Mir has now gone three for three following his gut (or arm) wrenching submission over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira late last year. Mir was been gifted an opportunity to fight for the title at UFC 146 with the high levels of testosterone forcing the Nevada State Athletic Commission to effectively ban Alistair Overeem from action for nine months, but lost the fight against Junior dos Santos via second round TKO. He returned to action in April only to lose once again, this time to Daniel Cormier.
9: Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson: Nelson has gone from strength to strength over the past year, winning three fights against Dave Herman, Matt Mitrione and Cheick Kongo, all via first round knockout. The man otherwise known as “Big Country” has now won four of his last five, with his only defeats inside the octagon coming against top five ranked opponents and/or former champions.
10: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: Not exactly Mr. Consistency when it comes to his record or appearances over the past few years after going 3-3 inside the octagon over a four and a half year spell. During that time he’s picked up wins over fellow legend and the divisions prospects whilst failing to get it done against the elite. His next fight with fellow TUF: Brazil 2 coach, Fabricio Werdum will say a lot about where he stands in the title picture.
(Updated May 1st, 2013)
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