Alistair Overeem agrees with those that really feel the UFC heavyweight division is experiencing a down interval.
Tom Aspinall is an thrilling fighter who reigns on the prime of the burden class, however he’s been recovering from double eye surgical procedure. Former UFC Mild Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira might be combating Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250.
Exterior of a handful of names, many really feel the heavyweight division has gotten stale and boring. Throughout an interview with Bloody Elbow, Overeem opined on the state of heavyweights in MMA (h/t MMAJunkie).
“There’s a decline, sadly, regardless that the highest guys will stay the highest guys,” Overeem advised Bloody Elbow. “It’s not as colourful because it as soon as was. There was 15–20 top-name heavyweights, which is not the case. They’ve type of slowly declined, sadly.”
Overeem then recalled when an analogous scenario occurred on this planet of kickboxing. He believes boxing was in a position to restore order within the heavyweight ranks, and he wouldn’t rule out a comeback for MMA.
“Earlier than, we now have additionally seen an analogous fashion decline in Ok-1, in kickboxing, and that type of occurred to MMA now, as nicely,” Overeem mentioned. “Boxing made a revival. Boxing got here again. So I believe it’s what you possibly can describe because the tides of life. Typically it goes up, generally it goes down.”
UFC not too long ago launched Jailton Almeida, who was as soon as considered an rising contender. Uneventful outings in opposition to Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev in the end marked the tip of “Malhadinho’s” UFC run.
Whether or not or not Pereira can present a spark to the heavyweight division stays to be seen. If he can ship the identical spotlight reel knockouts that he’s recognized for, it is likely to be sufficient to offer the burden class a much-needed increase.
Do you assume the UFC heavyweight division could make a comeback? Pontificate within the feedback beneath.
