The UFC heavyweight division is in need of rescuing, and these may be the people to do it.
Like in boxing, heavyweight was once the glamor division of mixed martial arts. Some of the biggest names in the UFC competed in the weight class, including Stipe Miocic, Cain Velasquez, Brock Lesnar, and Randy Couture.
The days of those stars thrilling fans are firmly behind us, and the roster now comprises largely low-level heavyweights who have become known for sloppy fatigue fests inside the Octagon.
That was most recently on display when Tallison Teixeira beat Tai Tuivasa at UFC 325, a fight that led to many fans calling for the division to be abolished.
But one former contender thinks there is a path to the weight class being saved.
You’re Dana White for the day. Who’s the first fighter you sign to the UFC? 👀
Brendan Schaub says UFC should sign Francis Ngannou and Gable Steveson to save heavyweight
Brendan Schaub fought in the UFC when some of the all-time greats were still active.
‘Big Brown’ fought the likes of Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Gabriel Gonzaga during his tenure inside the Octagon.
While reflecting on the current state of his former division on his YouTube channel, Schaub listed three big names who could go some way to significantly improving the roster.
“The heavyweight division is so bad,” Schaub said. “It’s such a shell of what it is used to be, even when I fought. It used to be so good.
“Go back and watch PRIDE heavyweight grand prix. Even Bellator 10 years ago was better than this current heavyweight division in the UFC. When I fought, it was the who’s-who. It was murderer’s row. Now it’s just a shell of itself, and it doesn’t have to be.
“If they signed Rico (Verhoeven), if they came to an understanding with Francis (Ngannou), if they signed Gable Steveson, we’re at least cooking with some gas that makes it exciting,” he added.
“Somebody needs to step in and go, ‘Hey man, this heavyweight division is dying, if not dead.’ Your current heavyweight champ is having serious eye surgery. He’s out nine months. Jon Jones wants one more.
“If you do it at the White House it’s against Alex Pereira. OK. I know Dana has his issue with Francis, but he’s by far the biggest free agent out there. By far.”
Verhoeven was offered a UFC debut in January but chose to pursue a more lucrative career in boxing instead.
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Dana White shut down Francis Ngannou returning to the UFC
It is safe to say that one of Schaub’s recommended signings looks unlikely to come to fruition.
When Ngannou revealed his PFL contract situation and potential return to free agency in 2026, talk of ‘The Predator’ returning to the UFC picked up.
But while fans were largely behind the idea, Dana White shut down an Ngannou comeback.
“I don’t know how I can make it anymore f—- clear,” White said during an interview with The Mac Life.
while laughing after being asked if he is interested in bringing Ngannou back.
“There was nothing that made me happier than throwing that guy over to the f—- PFL.
“Let me tell you what, if we let guys go, feel bad for the f—- company that gets them,” he continued. “We let them go for a f—- reason. I don’t have to let anybody go.
“I don’t want to be in business with guys I don’t like and don’t think are good guys.”
The Cameroonian later suggested he also had no interest in a reunion.
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