Why Is The UFC Heavyweight Division Dead?

The UFC heavyweight division has hit rock bottom. In a division that previously spearheaded a number of UFC PPVs, the division is at an all-time, unexciting low. We have a champion in Jon Jones who doesn’t fight, seemingly isn’t interested in defending his belt against the next logical contender, the interim champion, Tom Aspinall. The UFC heavyweight division boasts just one fighter who has a win streak of five or above at the weight in Tallison Teixeira. Compare that to the featherweight division, for example, five fighters boast a record of seven straight wins or more.

There are few exciting fights to be made at heavyweight and only one of the top five is currently booked for a fight.

Shockingly, there have been only nine heavyweight fights in 2025. 2024 only saw 12 up to the same point (the beginning of May) and 2023 just 13.

We take a look at three reasons the UFC heavyweight division is dying and what can be done to revive it from the depths it currently lies.

Why is the UFC Heavyweight Division Dying?

An Inactive Champion

Jon Jones. Arguably the GOAT of the entire sport. Never been beaten other than a controversial DQ. A two-weight world champion. A man who can dominate wherever the fight goes, whether it’s on the feet or on the ground. Legendary performances against Alexander Gustaffson, Daniel Cormier and back in the day, Lyoto Machida are a thing of the past for the king of the UFC heavyweight division.

His heavyweight resume, however, is questionable. He won the vacant belt when he took on Ciryl Gane in a fight which was heavily in his favour with regards to styles as well as being a fight in which Gane didn’t seem interested in winning. After taking a year and a half out of the octagon, Jones returned to take on Stipe Miocic. Miocic had been out of the octagon for over three years, was 42 at the time and looked like a man who didn’t deserve to be in there with Jones at the time. Not a good look for Bones.

There seems to be an outright refusal to give the interim champion, Tom Aspinall, the chance to fight for the undisputed belt. But why? Is he scared? If he ducking the young up and comer? Does he simply not believe that Aspinall deserves the fight?

Whatever happens, facts don’t lie. Jones has made the octagon walk just twice in over five years, and only twice at heavyweight. He’s averaging a fight every 31 months over five years. For context, Aspinall hadn’t debuted in the UFC when Jones decided to move up to heavyweight and has gone 8-1 in the time that Jones has gone 2-0.

An inactive champion is what is predominantly killing the UFC heavyweight division and that needs to change.

Shallow Division

The UFC heavyweight division is also devoid of stars or compelling match-ups. There is a distinct lack of ‘new blood’. If we look down the divisions, new names such as Carlos Ulberg, Caio Borralho, Jack Della Maddalena, Paddy Pimblett, and Lerone Murphy are taking part in competitive, ranking-defining fights. In the heavyweight division, this doesn’t happen.

There are only three fights scheduled for ranked fighters at heavyweight. There has been a distinct lack of finishes at heavyweight, with only six finishes in 2025. Is anyone really bothered about the heavyweight division?

Realistically, are there competitive fights to be made? Is there any jeopardy for the champions of the division? Tom Aspinall has comprehensively beaten #3, #4, #5, #7 and #8. Jailton Almeida is the hottest ‘prospect’ at heavyweight, however, everyone already knows his grappling-heavy game. 

Realistically, we need 4-5 new heavyweights to enter the UFC with finishing instincts, who are young enough that a loss doesn’t define them. Vadim Nemkov must come over to the UFC… soon.

Lack of Megastars… or Stars in General

Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez, Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos. These are just four former UFC heavyweights that have headlined a whole host of PPVs and Fight Nights between them.

Not a single UFC heavyweight fight has headlined either a PPV or a Fight Night this year, nor are any scheduled. Last year saw only four heavyweight headliners. 2023 saw seven. Compare that to middleweight, where there have already been four headliners in 2025. Welterweight has seen two main events and has three headline spots scheduled.

Only a handful of fighters are guaranteed box office. Derrick Lewis has the most knockouts in UFC history (15), but he has huge flaws. Although Almeida is dominant, his fighting style isn’t fan-friendly. Aspinall is must watch. Jones will always bring in eyes.

Aside from these men, the rest of the UFC heavyweight division provide a ‘take it or leave it’ feeling. If you don’t see their fights, so what? You won’t miss much.

We need another Lesnar, a genetic (albeit juiced (allegedly)) beast. Another Uberreem, another Velasquez. Guaranteed headliners who, without a doubt, will draw in big crowds, huge numbers and have fans on the edge of their seats for the UFC heavyweight division once again. As things stand, however, this doesn’t appear to be on the horizon.