Next challenger for the HW Belt

[650lb Sumo]

Aspinall
Gane
Volkov
Pav

25/10/25 - Aspinall vs Gane
25/10/25 - Volkov vs Almeida

With Pav winning today he should really be the next challenger.

Of course Tom round one KOed him in his second-last fight, but there it is. The division is thinner than tracing paper at the moment.

Pav has never fought Gane, not that I expect Gane to beat Tom. But at least there would be the possibility of a fresh matchup if Sergei is announced as the next challenger.

However I suspect they'll just wait to see who wins Volkov vs Almeida. Jailton is a rare fresh face at the top of the division and has fought neither Tom nor Ciryl.

Volkov's last fight was a decision loss to Gane. Albeit the decision was poor. And Tom round one subbed him in 2022. Alexander has improved his grappling since then, but not enough to make him an appealing challenger. So if he beats Almeida maybe they'll just announce Sergei as the next challenger anyway lol.

 

[VAfan]

hopefully not sergei after that fight today. that was a snoozefest.

looks like the aspinall KO has turned him into a decision machine, he looks way more tentative now. not quite AA levels yet but getting there.

 

[mkess101]

It's Volkov/Almeida winner. Not even a question. They can use Pav as the backup.

 

[tritestill]

Sergei has looked horrible

 

[650lb Sumo]

It's Volkov/Almeida winner. Not even a question. They can use Pav as the backup.

I forgot Pav lost a decision to Volkov last year. Which does weaken his case.

Unfortunate position for him though, there are only the champ, the challenger and Volkov above him. Volkov could win and get the next title fight, and Sergei I suppose fights someone below himself, which obviously isn't ideal, or someone coming off a loss - the loser of the title fight, or the loser of the contender title fight. I'm not delighted at the prospect of him sitting around for months waiting for that.

Or he just waits a year or so from his last fight and then fights for the belt. Which then clearly he should have got the next title shot. Maybe this is what they'll do, annoying as it is. I'd rather he take a lower opponent than just sit.

This is such a bad era for HW lol. Almeida is the only kind of interesting thing happening. And if Volkov beats him...

 

[650lb Sumo]

Sergei has looked horrible

Good thing this isn't a Jason Statham film then, where the objective is to entertain, but a martial arts contest where the objective is to win.

 

[mkess101]

I forgot Pav lost a decision to Volkov last year. Which does weaken his case.

Unfortunate position for him though, there are only the champ, the challenger and Volkov above him. Volkov could win and get the next title fight, and Sergei I suppose fights someone below himself, which obviously isn't ideal, or someone coming off a loss - the loser of the title fight, or the loser of the contender title fight. I'm not delighted at the prospect of him sitting around for months waiting for that.

Or he just waits a year or so from his last fight and then fights for the belt. Which then clearly he should have got the next title shot. Maybe this is what they'll do, annoying as it is. I'd rather he take a lower opponent than just sit.

This is such a bad era for HW lol. Almeida is the only kind of interesting thing happening. And if Volkov beats him...

My prediction is Sergei vs Valter Walker early 2026. Winner in the mix for next title shot.

 

[FrappeDuRocma]

A taxi driver who can make weight.

 

[650lb Sumo]

My prediction is Sergei vs Valter Walker early 2026. Winner in the mix for next title shot.

Would love to see some more sub grappling at the top end of the division and shake things up.

 

[TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle]

hopefully not sergei after that fight today. that was a snoozefest.

looks like the aspinall KO has turned him into a decision machine, he looks way more tentative now. not quite AA levels yet but getting there.

He was trying to take Waldos head off throughout and landed multiple big shots that looked they could have easily been fight ending if Waldo didnt have a hell of a chin on him.

 

[Blastbeat]

im really happy Pav beat that salsa dancing doofus
he has looked a bit gunshy since he lost to Tom but this was a really solid performance. Waldo's got a damn good chin

 

[VAfan]

He was trying to take Waldos head off throughout and landed multiple big shots that looked they could have easily been fight ending if Waldo didnt have a hell of a chin on him.

his output is nothing like it was in the beginning. he used to steamroll guys, now he sits back and picks his shots. obviously the power is still there and he can KO guys if he lands, but his career is like night and day pre/post KO loss.

 

[fedorthegoat777]

Get Big Frank back.

 

[JKS]

Volkov/Almeida winner is the next challenger. Volkov ha a win over Pav and Almeida has been great at HW with only one set back.

 

[JKS]

Get Big Frank back.

LOL, that's never gonna happen. The UFC wants nothing to do with that.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

It's Volkov/Almeida winner. Not even a question. They can use Pav as the backup.

Yep. Hopefully Jailton. I like Volk but Jailton is a fresh fight and more interesting match up to really test Tom's grapps

 

[USCinSC890]

Pav has turned into budget Overeem, his only saving grace are those long gorilla arms and his pre-Aspinal highlight reel making opponents cautious.

 

[Koala]

Pereira, after one week with Daniel Cormier

 

[Dr. Rose]

Would love to see some more sub grappling at the top end of the division and shake things up.

Wonder what Big Nog or Werdum is up to, as sad as the division is currently, they would be top 10. lol.

 

[Last Falconry]

Pav really looks like he's fallen off. It's bumming me out