ESPN's MMA divisional rankings: Heavyweight
— -- Check out my rankings within each division by clicking on the links below.
Who is the best fighter regardless of weight class? See ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings. Plus, check out our women's pound-for-pound rankings.
Note: Results through May 17.
Divisional Rankings
Heavyweight | Light heavyweight
Middleweight | Welterweight | Lightweight
Featherweight | Bantamweight | Flyweight
Women's bantamweight | Women's strawweight
HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (265 pounds)
1. Stipe Miocic (15-2)
The Cleveland native saved arguably the greatest knockout win of his career for his first championship fight, knocking Fabricio Werdum out cold with a right hand in front of 42,000 Brazilian fans. The heavyweight target has been shifted to this man's back.
Next: TBD
2. Fabricio Werdum (20-6-1)
Full credit to Stipe Miocic for beating Werdum, but one also has to wonder what happened to him at UFC 198. Why did he throw technique out the window and sprint after Miocic like a novice? Whatever the reason, he paid the price.
Next: TBD
3. Cain Velasquez (13-2)
More than a 600-day layoff between fights appeared to have an effect on the now-former champion when he surrendered his belt to Fabricio Werdum in Mexico City. Velasquez has been here before. He has reclaimed the UFC belt once already. He could do it again.
Next: UFC 200 on July 9, vs. Travis Browne
4. Alistair Overeem (41-14)
Overeem delivered a spectacular knockout over former UFC champion and Jackson-Wink MMA teammate Andrei Arlovski in May. He is very much poised for that UFC title shot.
Next: TBD
5. Junior dos Santos (18-4)
The former champion bounced back from a knockout loss to Overeem in a major way, as he dominated Ben Rothwell in a five-round decision in April. The performance should silence any whispers of JDS losing a step for the time being.
Next: TBA
6. Ben Rothwell (36-10)
A terrific four-fight winning streak came to a screeching halt in April, as Rothwell was badly outclassed by former champion Junior dos Santos. He'll continue to hang around the title mix if he comes back strong, but just lost a big opportunity to distinguish himself.
Next: TBA
7. Mark Hunt (12-10)
The man with the walk-off KOs, Hunt delivered another one against Frank Mir on March 19. At 41, he's as dangerous as he has ever been and still very much relevant in this volatile weight class.
Next: TBD
8. Andrei Arlovski (25-12)
A promising four-fight win streak in the UFC has given way to back-to-back knockout losses for Arlovski. It has been a tough go in 2016, after going nearly three years without a loss.
Next: TBD
9. Travis Browne (18-3-1)
Following a down year in 2015 that saw Browne fight only once (a loss to Andrei Arlovski), "Hapa" got to work early in the new year. His TKO win against Matt Mitrione was slightly marred by eye pokes, but it's a win (and finish) nevertheless.
Next: UFC 200 on July 9, vs. Cain Velasquez
10. Josh Barnett (34-8)
The popular former champ suffered his first legitimate submission loss in January. He has been less than active in recent years, but his losses have come to top competition.
Next: TBD
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