Dana White Makes Positive Prediction for ‘Little Stale’ Heavyweight Division After Years of Disappointment

UFC CEO Dana White talks about the future and changes in the heavyweight division after long stretches of disappointment.

Dana White Makes Positive Prediction for ‘Little Stale’ Heavyweight Division After Years of Disappointment

Dana White talks about heavyweight division (via Reddit)

Dana White has dealt with major issues in the UFC heavyweight division for years. The 265-pound class once featured active stars who kept the title picture moving. However, recent years have seen champions go inactive, and prolonged absences have led to vacated belts. The UFC CEO now sees a brighter future as new talent emerges.

The decline became clear during the Stipe Miocic–Daniel Cormier saga, which produced three title fights from 2018 to 2020. Francis Ngannou then rebuilt his title case after multiple setbacks and became heavyweight champion by defeating Miocic at UFC 260. Contract issues later led to Ngannou’s departure as champion.

Jon Jones brought renewed hope by defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023. However, he refused to fight Tom Aspinall after the British star won the interim title against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. Jones instead fought Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 before retiring in June 2025, which led to Aspinall being elevated to undisputed champion.

The UFC’s 265-pound title picture has again stalled after Aspinall’s first defense against Gane ended in a no contest at UFC 321. An accidental double eye poke left Aspinall unable to continue, sidelining the champion since October 2025. White has now addressed the division’s revival as the UFC looks to rebuild one of its marquee divisions.

We’ve got a lot of divisions that are shaking up right now and getting fun. The boys have been working hard on a few of the different divisions that we thought were a little stale, I’ll say.

Dana White via UFC Sacramento post fight press conference

White has also recognized prospects becoming stars within the heavyweight division. Josh Hokit emerged as a major name after defeating Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327. He followed that with a knockout over Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250. His polarizing personality has made him one of the division’s most popular heavyweights.

Valter Walker has also raised his profile through humorous social media antics and his unusual submission game. The Brazilian became known for four straight UFC heel-hook wins, beginning with Junior Tafa at UFC 305. He later submitted Don’Tale Mayes, Kennedy Nzechukwu and Louie Sutherland with the same technique.

Another major name in the discussion is Gable Steveson, who made his UFC debut with a first-round knockout over Elisha Ellison at UFC 329. The Olympic wrestling gold medalist is now set to face Sean Sharaf at UFC 331. Steveson has also trained under UFC legend Jon Jones, adding further attention to his rapid MMA development.

The heavyweight problem has also led to notable roster cuts, including Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jailton Almeida. Rozenstruik was released after losing to Sergei Pavlovich in February 2025. Almeida was cut after back-to-back losses to Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev, with both performances criticized for limited action.

Dana White has dealt with heavyweight issues for years, while the division previously produced stars like Cain Velasquez and Daniel Cormier.

Both became UFC heavyweight champions and helped define major eras for the division. The UFC CEO could now develop emerging talent into the division’s next generation of stars.

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Dana White has expanded beyond the UFC through ventures across combat sports and entertainment. He launched Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017 to develop fighters for the UFC. White also became a co-owner of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, while launching Zuffa Boxing in 2025.

However, Power Slap has remained one of White’s major ventures outside the UFC. White created the promotion in 2022 alongside Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian. The Nevada State Athletic Commission sanctioned Power Slap, and it introduced weight classes, rankings, drug testing, and medical testing.

Dana White
Dana White (via SPORTbible)

Power Slap has produced stars including heavyweight champion Damien Dibbell and light heavyweight champion Ron Bata, both of whom have recorded five defenses. Power Slap has also expanded globally, with Power Slap 22 marking its European debut in Serbia. Its growing digital reach now features in White’s assessment.

Power Slap has the most viewed short of all time in sports on YouTube and we’re the most viewed sports clip all time on TikTok.

Dana White via Plan Bri podcast

Power Slap has become a major part of Dana White’s plans beyond the UFC, alongside his expansion into boxing. The UFC CEO has indicated that Power Slap could become an important property within his combat sports portfolio. Its growing digital reach has strengthened the promotion as White expands beyond MMA.

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