Once upon a time, the UFC’s light heavyweight division was considered the promotion’s premier division. It was the home of the UFC’s biggest stars and most intriguing matchups.
These 205-pounders offered it all: the fascination we all have with big men with the speed and agility of lighter weights. Unfortunately, that’s a far cry from where it stands today.
A DIVISION WITHOUT DIRECTION
Without Jon Jones, this division lacks a true north. Bones may be polarizing in nature, but his dominance as a champion singlehandedly kept this division in the public eye. He was this generation’s Chuck Liddell – a violent superstar with a target on his back. And in a division that’s rapidly thinning in talent, the UFC needs him more than ever.
Daniel Cormier currently holds his vacated belt, but his reign is largely marred by the fact that he was thoroughly dismantled by Bones. As long as he’s the champ, the division seems second rate. And DC is widely considered the second best 205er in the world, exacerbating the problem that the light heavyweight division has.
Take a look at the top contenders. There’s Alexander Gustaffson, who tested Jones but was humiliated by Anthony Johnson. Then Anthony Johnson was beaten down by Cormier in a championship matchup that wasn’t particularly close. After that, it gets kind of ugly.
Phil Davis is gone, but he could never quite establish himself as a credible title challenger. Ryan Bader currently sits in the top-5, but doesn’t really inspire any confidence in hypothetical matchups against Gustaffson, Cormier or Johnson. Rashad Evans hasn’t fought in years. Glover Teixeira is currently ranked No. 4 by the UFC. Jimi Manuwa, a creaky Shogun Rua and an ancient Rampage Jackson all reside in the top-10.
Hell, barista-turned-UFC fighter Patrick Cummins is ranked No. 10 overall, and he was blasted by Cormier in his short-notice debut. So if you look at the current top five, only Cormier can be considered an all-star, and he’s 36 years old. Then you have two more very good fighters in Johnson and Gustaffson, and after that it just gets kind of ugly. Jon Jones is the only elite fighter in the current class, and he’s off finding himself.
To make matters worse, there aren’t any real hot prospects right now either. Without any new faces, the division needs its most recognizable fighter in a desperate. Get well soon, Bones.
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