After a uncommon week off, the UFC is again in motion this weekend with a heavyweight important occasion between Derrick Lewis and Tallison Teixeira at UFC Struggle Night time from Nashville, Tennessee (9 p.m. ET, prelims at 6 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN+).
It is a well timed showcase, as information of former heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ retirement nonetheless feels recent inside the MMA group. Jones, 37, is the best of all time, and his retirement is well-deserved — even when the best way he opted to deal with the top of his profession continues to be considerably puzzling. By drawing out his determination for six months, solely to not battle Tom Aspinall, Jones left the game in a cloud of disappointment. He has expressed curiosity in combating on the proposed 2026 White Home card, and UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Wednesday on “Full Ship Podcast” that Jones is again within the anti-doping testing pool.
Whereas we wait to see what Jones’ subsequent act brings, the present goes on. Aspinall (15-3) has been elevated from interim to undisputed champion and has mentioned he expects the UFC to announce his first title protection quickly. In the meantime, Lewis (28-12), a 10-year veteran and fan favourite, will sq. off with one of many division’s finest up-and-comers, 25-year-old Teixeira, who has completed every of his eight skilled opponents within the first spherical.
There are large questions surrounding this division because it strikes on from Jones. Let’s reset the burden class and take inventory of the celebs, the depth and future contenders forward of this weekend’s headliner.
With Jones retired, is there anybody on the UFC roster who poses a critical risk to Aspinall’s title?
That is MMA — and heavyweight MMA at that. Each contender on this division has one-punch knockout energy. Traditionally, this has been the toughest title to defend within the UFC, as a result of in a way, everyone seems to be a risk.
With that disclaimer out of the best way, no, there aren’t any apparent threats to Aspinall proper now.
Aspinall already has overwhelmed three of the highest six in ESPN’s divisional rankings (Curtis Blaydes, Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich) inside the primary spherical. Aspinall’s résumé is one purpose Jones’ retirement is so disappointing. Followers do not get the megafight they wished, and there aren’t apparent barnburners to make up for it.
Yet another little bit of dangerous information for the sector: Aspinall is without doubt one of the youngest elite heavyweights on the UFC roster. So if the present crop of expertise struggles to supply him a problem, do not count on the undefeated problem of age to have its say, both. Aspinall’s dominance (seven first-round finishes in 9 UFC appearances) is likely to be round for a while.
Now for some glass-half-full evaluation: Ciryl Gane’s recreation has holes, however he completely has the uncooked expertise and bodily attributes to offer Aspinall a run for his cash. He must degree up his ability set and psychological recreation, but when he reaches his full potential, we might see Aspinall vs. Gane turn out to be one of many nice rivalries in heavyweight historical past.
What fights have to be made in 2025 to reignite the heavyweight division?
Aspinall vs. Gane is a unbelievable matchup that may achieve steam, ought to the UFC ebook it subsequent. However the one that may actually restart this division — which, if we’re sincere, has been stagnant for a while — is Aspinall vs. Alex Pereira.
There is a purpose Jones moved as much as heavyweight in 2023 following a protracted gentle heavyweight championship run. He noticed a straightforward window to seize a second belt. It was sensible enterprise for Jones then, however his retirement throws the division proper again to a low level. The UFC might change that narrative by reserving a “superfight” between Aspinall and Pereira. The issue is Pereira, a former champion at middleweight and light-weight heavyweight, is undersized and has his personal enterprise left at 205 kilos.
So what else would drum up pleasure? If Lewis will get a knockout this weekend in Nashville, there can be fan urge for food for Aspinall vs. Lewis. It would not make sense from a rankings perspective, as Lewis is ranked No. 9 by the UFC, however I would not thoughts seeing that matchup. The 40-year-old most likely does not have too many fights left. Would the UFC speed up the veteran’s path to a title shot? We have seen worse for the sake of promotion.
Does the shortage of depth at heavyweight have an effect on how Aspinall’s reign can be considered?
The unlucky reply: How can it not? Jones is retired however nonetheless part of this dialog, as he is the one who simply vacated the undisputed title. Jones earned his standing as “best of all time” by means of excellence, nevertheless it definitely did not damage that he got here alongside as a light-weight heavyweight at a time when the division was full of massive names. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Daniel Cormier, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Glover Teixeira, Alexander Gustafsson, Stipe Miocic — these are large names. Aspinall’s résumé will pale as compared on the subject of family names, and there is nothing he can do about that.
What he can do is proceed to starch his opposition in Spherical 1. The expectation of a first-round stoppage is an impossibly excessive bar to clear regularly — besides that is precisely what he is executed. He has wanted a second spherical to complete an opponent in one in every of his 15 wins. If he continues to submit these sorts of outcomes, his file will stand out, even with out the large names.
And Aspinall will obtain some credit score as the person who retired Jones with out ever needing to battle him.
Can Teixeira, 25, compete for a heavyweight belt by 30?
Virtually definitely, contemplating the shortage of depth at heavyweight and the potential of Aspinall operating by means of a protracted checklist of contenders in brief order. The division will want new faces comparable to Teixeira to step up, and step up quick. “The subsequent large factor” will present up at heavyweight ultimately, hopefully sooner moderately than later. Perhaps it’s going to be Teixeira on Saturday.