State of UFC titles in the next 6 months

[JayJayMMA]

I have been following MMA for a number of years now and in the past there have always been some weight classes with an unclear picture however looking at the state of most of the divisions it seems to be that only one or two divisons have clear title pictures with a ranked contender, it's easy to see where the UFC may have issues with pending legislation under the Ali act.

Have included when they won their title, it becomes even murkier when you include the last fight for some champions and interim champions.

What are your thoughts on title picture for all divisions?

HW - Stipe Miocic - 15th May 2016 - 2 defences
Unclear when next fight is, contract negotiations. Possibly no title defence in next 6 months

LHW - Daniel Cormier - 23rd May 2015 - 2 defences
Title picture unclear, last fight an NC and next planned defence in jeopardy with Volkan potentially out. Possibly no title defence in next 6 months

MW - Georges St-Pierre - 4th Nov 2017 - 0 defences
Unclear as to what future holds, may defend or vacate. Possibly no defence of title in next 6 months

WW - Tyron Woodley - 30th July 2016 - 3 defences
One of the more active champions however unclear as to next title holder. With Nate Diaz proposed it could throw one of the more active divisions into disarray.

LW - Conor McGregor - 12th Nov 2016 - 0 Defences
Possibly no title defence in next 6 months and unclear what intentions are in division.

FW - Max Holloway - 3rd June 2017 - 0 defences
Clear title fight ahead with top 3 ranked fighter in division

BW - TJ Dillashaw - 4th Nov 2017 - 0 defences
Unclear who next fight is though potentially with MM and potentially not in own weight class therefore not a defence.

FLW - Demetrious Johnson - 22nd Sept 2012 - 10 defences
Unclear who next fight is though potentially with TJ therefore not in his weight class and not a defence.

WFW - Cris Cyborg - 11th Feb 2011 - 0 defences
Fight against bantamweight contender, no clear ranking system within division or a top 10. (Surprised TUF wasnt a WFW to bolster numbers in this division)

WBW - Amanda Nunes - 9th July 2016 - 2 defences
Potentially a defence in next 6 months with a ranked contender

WSW - Rose Namajunas - 4th Nov 2017 - 0 defences
Potentially a defence in next 6 months with a ranked contender

 

[G0DSPEED]

Erick Silva takes all the belts. Just give him 10 years.

 

[sirmorbach]

FLW - Demetrious Johnson - 22nd Sept 2012 - 10 defences

What a beast.

 

[Tylerl90]

I have been following MMA for a number of years now and in the past there have always been some weight classes with an unclear picture however looking at the state of most of the divisions it seems to be that only one or two divisons have clear title pictures with a ranked contender, it's easy to see where the UFC may have issues with pending legislation under the Ali act.

Have included when they won their title, it becomes even murkier when you include the last fight for some champions and interim champions.

What are your thoughts on title picture for all divisions?

HW - Stipe Miocic - 15th May 2016 - 2 defences
Unclear when next fight is, contract negotiations. Possibly no title defence in next 6 months

LHW - Daniel Cormier - 23rd May 2015 - 2 defences
Title picture unclear, last fight an NC and next planned defence in jeopardy with Volkan potentially out. Possibly no title defence in next 6 months

MW - Georges St-Pierre - 4th Nov 2017 - 0 defences
Unclear as to what future holds, may defend or vacate. Possibly no defence of title in next 6 months

WW - Tyron Woodley - 30th July 2016 - 3 defences
One of the more active champions however unclear as to next title holder. With Nate Diaz proposed it could throw one of the more active divisions into disarray.

LW - Conor McGregor - 12th Nov 2016 - 0 Defences
Possibly no title defence in next 6 months and unclear what intentions are in division.

FW - Max Holloway - 3rd June 2017 - 0 defences
Clear title fight ahead with top 3 ranked fighter in division

BW - TJ Dillashaw - 4th Nov 2017 - 0 defences
Unclear who next fight is though potentially with MM and potentially not in own weight class therefore not a defence.

FLW - Demetrious Johnson - 22nd Sept 2012 - 10 defences
Unclear who next fight is though potentially with TJ therefore not in his weight class and not a defence.

WFW - Cris Cyborg - 11th Feb 2011 - 0 defences
Fight against bantamweight contender, no clear ranking system within division or a top 10. (Surprised TUF wasnt a WFW to bolster numbers in this division)

WBW - Amanda Nunes - 9th July 2016 - 2 defences
Potentially a defence in next 6 months with a ranked contender

WSW - Rose Namajunas - 4th Nov 2017 - 0 defences
Potentially a defence in next 6 months with a ranked contender

DJ defending against TJ is not a defense? Does DJ not lose the belt if TJ beats him? Not sure I understand that one.

 

[JayJayMMA]

Erick Silva takes all the belts. Just give him 10 years.

That kid has potential

 

[JayJayMMA]

DJ defending against TJ is not a defense? Does DJ not lose the belt if TJ beats him? Not sure I understand that one.

If TJ comes down then it's a FLW defence however it isn't clear what weight class it will be in and they could come to terms that involve DJ stepping up. I left it as unclear until they agree on terms.

 

[Tylerl90]

If TJ comes down then it's a FLW defence however it isn't clear what weight class it will be in and they could come to terms that involve DJ stepping up. I left it as unclear until they agree on terms.

Don't bet on DJ going up in weight, ever. He doesn't want any of that. TJ will come down to 125 to try to get two belts.

 

[JayJayMMA]

Don't bet on DJ going up in weight, ever. He doesn't want any of that. TJ will come down to 125 to try to get two belts.

Hope that is the case as that would be the better fight, will be interesting to see though as looking at TJ he is pretty lean at BW. Losing almost 10% more of his weight for a lower class fight may affect his performance.

 

[Tylerl90]

Hope that is the case as that would be the better fight, will be interesting to see though as looking at TJ he is pretty lean at BW. Losing almost 10% more of his weight for a lower class fight may affect his performance.

I actually think he will lose some strength from that weight cut, and still finish DJ.

 

[knspiracy]

That kid has potential

Young prospect. Bit of a prodigy.

 

[CoffeeAndBeer]

BELLATOR

HW - Vacant
Vitaly Minakov won the Title on 15th Nov 2013 and defended it once. He has not fought in Bellator since 4th April 2014, but is 6-0 since in other Orgs. 8-Man Grand Prix happening in 2018 to crown a new HW Champ

LHW - Ryan Bader - 24th Jun 2017 - 1 Defense
Participating in the HW GP in 2018, along with a few other top rated LHWs. I'm guessing the Division will be without a LHW Title fight until Bader loses in the GP and returns, or after he wins, w/e the case.

MW - Rafael Carvalho - 23rd Oct 2015 - 2 Defenses
Defending the Title again next month, but caliber of competition continues to be suspect (Alessio Sakara). The Division could really use some bolstering from LHWs dropping down, WWs moving up, and/or free agent signings.

WW - Douglas Lima - 10th Nov 2016 - 1 Defense
Outstanding Title Defense coming up in Jan vs Rory MacDonald. Best possible match-up of any division. And there is a decent list of Contenders right behind him.

LW - Brent Primus - 24 Jun 2017 - 0 Defenses
Champion by upset... the immediate rematch with Michael Chandler is not happening. No LW has distinguished themselves from the rest of the pack.

FW - Patricio Freire - 21 Apr 2017 - 0 Defenses
A surprisingly deep Division, there are a few good Contenders, a few good Top Prospects, Up-n-comers, and a good mix of veterans. Was scheduled to defend against Daniel Weichel but was sidelined due to injury. There are plenty of Contenders for when Patricio returns.

BW - Darrion Caldwell - 6 Oct 2017 - 0 Defenses
For as shallow as this Division is, there are actually some solid prospective Contenders.

 

[JayJayMMA]

BELLATOR

HW - Vacant
Vitaly Minakov won the Title on 15th Nov 2013 and defended it once. He has not fought in Bellator since 4th April 2014, but is 6-0 since in other Orgs. 8-Man Grand Prix happening in 2018 to crown a new HW Champ

LHW - Ryan Bader - 24th Jun 2017 - 1 Defense
Participating in the HW GP in 2018, along with a few other top rated LHWs. I'm guessing the Division will be without a LHW Title fight until Bader loses in the GP and returns, or after he wins, w/e the case.

MW - Rafael Carvalho - 23rd Oct 2015 - 2 Defenses
Defending the Title again next month, but caliber of competition continues to be suspect (Alessio Sakara). The Division could really use some bolstering from LHWs dropping down, WWs moving up, and/or free agent signings.

WW - Douglas Lima - 10th Nov 2016 - 1 Defense
Outstanding Title Defense coming up in Jan vs Rory MacDonald. Best possible match-up of any division. And there is a decent list of Contenders right behind him.

LW - Brent Primus - 24 Jun 2017 - 0 Defenses
Champion by upset... the immediate rematch with Michael Chandler is not happening. No LW has distinguished themselves from the rest of the pack.

FW - Patricio Freire - 21 Apr 2017 - 0 Defenses
A surprisingly deep Division, there are a few good Contenders, a few good Top Prospects, Up-n-comers, and a good mix of veterans. Was scheduled to defend against Daniel Weichel but was sidelined due to injury. There are plenty of Contenders for when Patricio returns.

BW - Darrion Caldwell - 6 Oct 2017 - 0 Defenses
For as shallow as this Division is, there are actually some solid prospective Contenders.

Thank you C&B, thought about going through the Bellator one but ran out of time.

The LHW which was once the strongest division is now the weakest across promotions by the looks of it. HW at bellator is pretty much oversized LHW for the most part as the GP shows.

Always been a fan of the lighter weights in Bellator.

 

[Oj21]

Only ones that will change are ..
I think Cruz takes back belt, Frankie beats Holloway if Holloway beats Aldo, and as much as I hate to say it but maybe Whittaker beats gsp,