clock menu more-arrow no yes

Filed under:

Does UFC 146's Success Signal a New Era for MMA's Heavyweights?

New, comments
By Ben Fowlkes
/ new
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

If you’d told me five or six years ago that the UFC was planning an event where the main card was nothing but heavyweight fights, I’d have told you it was probably a mafia movie-style plan to get all the heavies in one place for a decisive hit that would eradicate the division altogether.

Back then, leaning so heavily on the big men would have been unthinkable. The UFC didn’t have enough of them, and the ones it did have were mostly on the mediocre end of the scale. Remember 2006, when Tim Sylvia was the heavyweight champ? He got to the top by beating Assuerio Silva, Andrei Arlovski (twice), and Jeff Monson. That run was so impressive it prompted Randy Couture to come out of retirement as a 220-pound heavyweight just to fight him.

And yet now, in 2012, the UFC felt so confident in its big men that it asked them to carry the load for the entire UFC 146 main card. More amazingly, it actually worked. It worked better than anyone had any right to hope for, providing all the fireworks we’ve come to expect from heavyweights with none of the plodding wheeze-fests we’ve come to dread. UFC president Dana White thinks "bad s--t" happens to him every day? Outside the cage, maybe. On the police blotters? Definitely, at least recently.

But in the cage, White and the UFC caught a major break on Saturday night. The heavyweights on the UFC 146 card delivered in a big way, making me wonder if maybe White is on to something when he says that we’ve reached a new age for MMA’s biggest competitors.

More Coverage: UFC 146 Results | UFC News

"The heavyweight division was lacking in our early days, and it’s not now. It’s flourishing," White said at the post-fight press conference. "Lot of good talent, lot of up-and-coming talent. I think the bigger the sports gets...you’re going to see bigger, athletic guys that would have played other sports getting into mixed martial arts."

At first, I admit, that claim sounded dubious to me. It smacked of promoter-speak, like when White insists that MMA will be bigger than soccer soon. With stuff like that, not only is there no reason to believe it, there’s not even many good reasons to believe that White believes it. It’s just stuff that a fight promoter has to say. It’s right there in the job description.

But when I looked around last night and saw guys like Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez -- not to mention a golden gloves boxer like Stipe Miocic and a seven-foot submissions wiz like Stefan Struve -- I had to admit that White might have a point. It’s not just that the UFC has collected more of the best heavyweights now that Pride is no longer around to monopolize them -- though, certainly, that is part of it. But whether it’s the money or the fame or the slow train to mainstream legitimacy, it also seems clear that MMA in general is drawing more and better big men to its ranks.

That’s not to say that I expect too many blue-chip football prospects or future NBA stars to look at the UFC and decide to say the hell with that college scholarship or disgustingly lucrative signing bonus -- they’d rather get punched in the face for a living. Sure, being the heavyweight champion is cool, but it’s also a bad gamble for most athletes.

Think about it: if you’re the tenth-best defensive lineman in the NFL, you’re still a millionaire pro athlete, still getting your picture on SportsCenter every now and then, still sipping champagne on yachts in the off-season. If you’re the tenth-best heavyweight in MMA, however, you’re busting your hand on other men’s skulls year-round, bleeding for your cash and trying to sock away as much of it as you can while the ride lasts. As much of an ego boost as it might be to call yourself the heavyweight champ of the world, how many people would really choose to reach for the brass ring instead of taking a full ride to one of those football vocational schools in the SEC where they’ll be treated like royalty just for making the team?

My point is, it takes a certain kind of human being to want to do this. The good news is, now MMA (and, specifically, the UFC) is finally profitable enough to reward those humans accordingly. Guys like Daniel Cormier, who, ten years ago, would have had few viable athletic avenues after his Olympic hopes ran aground, now have a chance and a reason to prove themselves in the cage. The money and the respect still aren’t good enough to attract too many athletes who have other options, but at least it’s heading in the right direction.

Saturday night’s main card showed us a glimpse of what that can look like. It gave us not just big, lumbering bone-breakers, but real athletes -- real martial artists. The heavyweight division is still a lot thinner than the lightweight class, where the dudes who were deemed too short for basketball and too small for football are constantly battling it out in a crowded field choking with talent, and maybe that’s the way MMA will always be to some extent. That doesn’t change the fact that the UFC currently has the best heavyweight roster it’s ever had, and there are still more names to add to it in the very near future.

On Saturday, the UFC gambled on the quality of its heavies, and it paid off big time. White might not have had much luck lately with injuries and illnesses and arrests, but at least on pay-per-view -- at least on this night -- fortune is still smiling on him.

  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos nails Frank Mir with a left at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos walks to the cage at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos readies himself at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos walks into the cage at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Frank Mir prepares for Junior dos Santos at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos does his pre-fight ritual at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Frank Mir covers up from a Junior dos Santos overhand right at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos relaxes between rounds at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos again throws the right at at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Frank Mir tumbles after eating a hard shot from Junior dos Santos at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Frank Mir tries to cover up from punches at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Frank Mir attempts to land a knee at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos A hard punch forces Frank Mir to step back at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Frank Mir tries to hang on after being hurt at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Frank Mir lays on the canvas after his loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos is declared the champion at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos is animated and excited after his win at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos poses for the media after his win at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Junior dos Santos and his team pose for pictures after his win at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Antonio Silva readies for Cain Velasquez at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Antonio Silva at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Cain Velasquez works top position at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Cain Velasquez holds Antonio Silva down at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photo Antonio Silva is covered in his own blood at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Cain Velasquez wears the blood of Antonio Silva at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Cain Velasquez works a front head lock at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Antonio Silva tries to stand, but Cain Velasquez forces him back down at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Referee Josh Rosenthal yells instructions at Antonio Silva at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Cain Velasquez wins by TKO stoppage at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Cain Velasquez is victorious at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Antonio Silva has doctors attend to him at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Antonio Silva walks back to the dressing room at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Roy Nelson follows up on a hurt Dave Herman at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Roy Nelson enters the Octagon at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dave Herman lands a push kick on Roy Nelson at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Roy Nelson lands a hard overhand right at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dave Herman collapses after being hit with a hard punch from Roy Nelson at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Roy Nelson is declared the winner at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Shane del Rosario prepares at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Stipe Miocic gets checked by the Nevada State Athletic Commission at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Shane del Rosario lands a body kick on Stipe Miocic at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Shane del Rosario nearly lands a knee at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Stipe Miocic fires a right hand at Shane del Rosario at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Stipe Miocic lands an elbow on Shane del Rosario at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Shane del Rosario with a huge cut on his eyebrow at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Lavar Johnson readies to fight Stefan Struve at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Stefan Struve readies for an armbar at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Lavar Johnson winces as he is armbarred by Stefan Struve at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Lavar Johnson is saved by Yves Lavigne at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Stefan Struve is declared the winner at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Diego Brandao tries to ground and pound Darren Elkins at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Darren Elkins lands on Diego Brando inside at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Darren Elkins continues to work from mount at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Darren Elkins smiles after winning at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Darren Elkins is declared the winner at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jamie Varner lands a hard right hand on Edson Barboza at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jamie Varner follows up on a hurt Edson Barboza at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jamie Varner celebrates after winning at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Edson Barboza protests about the referee stoppage at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jamie Varner is declared the winner at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy readies for Duane Ludwig at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy waves on UFC announcer Bruce Buffer at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy lands a right elbow on Duane Ludwig at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy lands a left hook on Duane Ludwig at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy follows up on a hurt Duane Ludwig at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy elbows a prostrate Duane Ludwig at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy celebrates his victory at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy kisses the ground after winning at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Dan Hardy is declared the winner at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Duane Ludwig walks to back of the arena at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jason Miller spits at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jason 'Mayhem' Miller gets controlled by C.B. Dollaway at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jason Miller eats an uppercut from C.B. Dollaway at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jason Miller tries to stand up from a takedown at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos C.B. Dollaway finishes the round on top at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos C.B. Dollaway is declared the winner at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Jason Miller takes a breath after his loss to C.B. Dollaway at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Paul Sass works an oma plata at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Paul Sass celebrates after submitting Jacob Volkmann at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Paul Sass celebrates after submitting Jacob Volkmann at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Glover Teixeira after winning at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Glover Teixeira submits Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Glover Teixeira elbows Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Mike Brown readies himself for Daniel Pineda at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Mike Brown works on top against Daniel Pineda at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Mike Brown eats a left hook at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Darren Elkins works from mount at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Daniel Pineda takes Mike Brown's back at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Mike Brown is declared the victor at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos Arianny Celeste carries a round card at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.
  • UFC 146 Photos A shot of the crowd at UFC 146 in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 26, 2012.

Get the latest gear

More From MMA Fighting

Loading comments...