How would Francis have faired in today's HW landscape?

[MAlexander22]

He fought Blaydes and Gane of the current crop of HWs, but we now have Jones back in the mix, Aspinall, Volkov, Almeida, Pavlovich, and maybe an improved Blaydes too. The Gane decision win looks worse now given how Jones despatched him. Stipe was arguably past it even back then. Rozenstruik has turned out to be a bit meh. Lewis has shown that against the upper tier guys he struggles. Given all this, if Francis were to have remained in the UFC, would he still be holding the gold?

 

[mjoln]

It would be tutorial difficulty for him.

 

[FlyingDeathKick]

I think so and Jones would have never made his Heavyweight debut. That's just my opinion tho, ik some people think it's the other way around and that Ngannou ducked Jones lol.

 

[loisestrad]

Imagine if Ngannou hadn't lost to Joshua in such an embarrasing way, but was still the dude who arguably beat Fury.

Things changes so fast.

 

[Mammothman]

Aspinal would have stopped him, most likely by sub.

 

[michhmoggan]

With ngannou still in the ufc probably jones would still be bulking up. Aspinall by the way could defeat ngannou using his grappling but obviously I am not sure.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

I would not be surprised at all if he loses to Ferreira after what AJ did to him tbh. That was the kind of loss that a lot of people dont bounce back from. His aura was shattered and he got KTFO cold in such a way that it may be much easier to switch him off in future.

Before the AJ loss? he still would have had some tough challenges in the UFC now imo. Jon would have stayed ducking but Tom, Pav and potentially improved TDD Gane would have been legitimate threats. Bearing in mind Francis is 37 too so hes probably in decline.

 

[Young Calf Kick]

He obliterates anyone not named Aspinall.

 

[DoubleTrouble]

I think he despatches all of them except Aspinall with ease....

 

[nonoob]

Seriously...IMHO Pico would have forever remained a coward, NEVER facing a single HW. Francis would have done what he'd been doing as the REAL HW champion - fighting and beating the best in the division.

Financially, it took just 2 boxing matches to set Francis up for life. Even after years in the ufc, rising through the ranks and winning the HW championship, Dana showed Francis nothing but contempt, pay included. Now Dana's happy, his fellow wife-beater Jones can represent the ufc to the entire world.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Francis would be at least in the top 3. Could very well be champ even.

 

[PurpleStorm]

Quite well imo. Though his heart was more in boxing, so that could be a factor.

 

[Greyscale]

 

[13Seconds]

Imagine if Ngannou hadn't lost to Joshua in such an embarrasing way, but was still the dude who arguably beat Fury.

Things changes so fast.

It wasn't that embarrasing. He just got KTFO.

Most people still knows he'd KTFO Jones. Even Jones knows it.

 

[loisestrad]

It wasn't that embarrasing. He just got KTFO.

Most people still knows he'd KTFO Jones. Even Jones knows it.

It was embarrasing. There's no way around that.

Jones would most likely take Francis down and submit him.

Just being real, it is what it is.

 

[13Seconds]

It was embarrasing. There's no way around that.

Jones would most likely take Francis down and submit him.

Just being real, it is what it is.

You’re not being real. You're being a fangirl. Noted.

 

[andgonsil]

He would give Aspinall the Stipe treatment

 

[spinup]

He beats everyone easy outside Jones, Gane and Aspinall who are potential competitive fights.
Aspinall is still very intriguing he has been steamrolling everyone.

 

[JKS]

Beats everyone aside Aspinal and Pavlovich. Game would also be tough as I think Gane would be better the second time around. I think he KOs Jones and the rest.

 

[Deleted member 504083]

Lewis beats him again, and perhaps Aspinall beats him too