It’s Refreshing to See All the Best Fighters in Every Division Actually Hold the Belts

[Gabe]

Now that Jones is gone and Tom is finally undisputed champ, Ank finally got his title shot and won, Khamzat made it to a title fight and beat DDP, JDM dog walked Belal and Ilia became the 155 champ by beating the best guy after Islam in Charles. Volk is the clear best when Ilia is not around and Merab has had a hell of a year so far. Pantoja has defended his belt 4 times. All of the guys who fans wanted to (rightfully) see get title fights have and are now champs. The UFC could only play favorites for so long before these guys clawed their ways through their respective divisions and won like everyone knew they would.

 

[laleggenda27]

The jury's still out whether Khamzat, JDM, and Ilia are the "best" in their divisions.

 

[don't ask]

The jury's still out whether Khamzat, JDM, and Ilia are the "best" in their divisions.

Agreed. We won't know that until they've done a fair job of cleaning them out.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Dunno if I'd say JDM is better than Shavkat tbh

 

[HNIC215]

UFC so weak right now... they're playing hot potato with the title.

 

[Shaolin Alan]

Tom & Volk are both paper champions. Nobody thinks Ank is the best. JDM is good, but still has lots to prove...

 

[burningspear]

How come Islam is favourite over JDM?

 

[Thy]

Dunno if I'd say JDM is better than Shavkat tbh

he seems to be less injured and more active at least

 

[Thy]

How come Islam is favourite over JDM?

popularity i think. and he did really good at lightweight.

 

[JustforBROCK]

Thanks for expressing your opinion so I can make a note to never listen to you again.

 

[Tweak896]

It bugs me how there are so many divisions where the champions aren't even the best or would be underdogs to others.

FLW: Pantoja- has proven himself, but honestly Van looks the best, this one isn't egregious.
BW: Merab- has walked through fire to prove it, maybe he won't as he gets older, but good for now.
FW: Volk- love the guy but he's at the wrong end of his prime, probably Evloev, Jean Silva, or Murphy should be best. Jury is still out.
LW: Topuria- only guy I'm worried about is Islam coming back down.
WW: JDM- no fucking way this dude is the best. Islam, Shavkat, Brady, and other probably beat him.
MW: Khamzat- I think he's the best but still has the REAL tests with Caio/Fluffy/RDR/Imavov, still think this is a reasonable champ.
LHW: Anklaev- In a division of wild strikers, I'll accept he's the best, just seems to be technically sound. Could look like shit any fight now though.
HW: Aspinall- without Jones, absolutely, he's 2 fights away from clearing division, still want to see Almeida test his ground game.

Divisions best are champs: 4/8
BW, LW, LHW, HW

Divisions where I think they could be the best, but have a couple more fights to prove it: 2/8
FLW, MW

Divisions where I refuse to accept the champ is the best: 2/8
FW, WW

So half I consider locked in, 1/4 could be, and 1/4 no way. Much better than other years lately in UFC, but long way to go for the former golden days.

 

[Hymen Crusher]

This is incorrect

 

[Thy]

I prefer all the worst guys so that u can see goofy fights and mismatches.

 

[digitalia**]

the champion IS ALWAYS the best fighter in their division

 

[gentel]

Volk is a great guy and legendary fighter so I hate to think of him as a paper champ, but the fact that Movsar was denied the shot kinda makes him one at least partially

 

[Goldentrophy]

I'm not too sure about JDM. The Burns fight is still too fresh on my mind.

 

[Lycandroid]

The sport has finally circled back to an era of dominate champions. This will be great for the sport and represent another period of growth.

 

[AmonTobin]

A great group of deserving champs. The only caveat for me would be Topuria fighting Oliveira instead of Arman. If they could settle that I would be happy with whichever way that turns out.

 

[HHJ]

Volk is a great guy and legendary fighter so I hate to think of him as a paper champ, but the fact that Movsar was denied the shot kinda makes him one at least partially

I dont consider him a paper champ. He would be if he activley avoided fighting Movsar, but it aint like that.

 

[Bowel-forged Stool]

I’m just glad Bernard mo is back to parking lots instead of stadiums..