When the referee begins the UFC 321 major event on Saturday night, it is going to mark the tip of a rough era within the heavyweight division.
This coming Saturday, undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will defend his title for the primary time when he takes on Ciryl Gane within the UFC 321 major event.
Although it is going to be Aspinall’s first official title defense, in his last fight last July, the Brit joined an exclusive group when he defended his interim title in a rematch against Curtis Blaydes.
And that was since the consensus biggest fighter of all time Jon Jones was somewhat holding the heavyweight division hostage together with his lack of desire to truly defend his title.
The dark cloud has lifted over the heavyweight division
Over the past 4 and a half years, there was a giant grey cloud constructing over the heavyweight division with no signs of clearing up.
At one point, it seemed as if the division was returning to its old ways, as at one point it was the most well-liked division in the game.
After Francis Ngannou dethroned Stipe Miocic after scoring one of the crucial terrifying knockouts within the division’s history, fans were enthusiastic about his potential reign. He then went on to defend his title against the then interim champion, Gane, unifying the title.
Despite that, due to his terrible relationship with the UFC, he soon vacated his title and left the promotion for what he believed was greener grass.
Jones then returned to the game to tackle Gane in a vacant title fight, showing levels by dominating him and submitting him in round one.
And although ‘Bones’ went on to defend his undisputed title, the fight was a whole farce that no one asked for as Aspinall was the interim champion on the time, causing complete controversy.
Jones then opted to retire as a substitute of fighting Aspinall, promoting the Brit to the undisputed champion.
And so when the referee starts the UFC 321 major event, it is going to mark the primary time in 4 and a half years, that the heavyweight title is strictly where it needs to be with no questions hanging across the division.
The heavyweight division is lacking star power
The major criticism surrounding the heavyweight division now, though, is that it’s severely lacking in star power, with Aspinall being the just one who really brings eyes to the division.
Despite that, it now makes it considerably easier for the division to get moving again, with there being more clarity and fighters knowing what they’re fighting towards.