5 UFC weight classes in need of new contenders
Many of the UFC's divisions are full of top contenders constantly vying for a shot at the title, while also trying to maintain their spots at the top of their weight class.
More often than not, this is ideal, as divisions such as bantamweight have a constant converybelt of exciting talent ready to fight for the title. However, sometimes divisions end up with the same individuals ranked in the top five, unable to overcome a champion but skilled enough to defeat the next generation of rising prospects.
In the following list, we break down five UFC weight classes in need of new contenders. Women's featherweight will not be included as the division has less than 15 fighters on its roster and is not really comparable to the other weight classes.
#5. UFC heavyweight division
If Jon Jones does finally make the move up to heavyweight, as he has been promising for so long, the division will likely no longer be on this list. However, for the time being, the weight class is in real need of fresh blood.
Tai Tuivasa has recently broken into the top five and may be able to ask some questions of the old guard. Aside from 'Bam Bam', the remainder of the top five – Curtis Blaydes, Derrick Lewis, Ciryl Gane and Stipe Miocic – have all been defeated by the current champ, Francis Ngannou.
No.11 ranked Tom Aspinall is getting a push from the promotion, but he will have to overcome the experienced Alexander Volkov on March 19 before he can become a part of the title picture.
There is also the contract issue between Francis Ngannou and the UFC to consider. It could be that 'The Predator' will choose to wait out his contract until the end of the year, leaving the top half of the heavyweights in a torpid state as they await the future of their division to be decided.