There was a time not so long ago when Travis Browne seemed like the future of the UFC's aging heavyweight division.

An athletic, seemingly durable heavyweight who could defend a takedown and had a devastating striking game to boot, the Hawaiian seemed like one of the deal candidates to lead the division into the modern age. His devastating knockouts of Josh Barnett and Alistair Overeem seemed proof that the new era had arrived.

If Browne's best days as an elite heavyweight weren't behind him before, his devastating loss to devastating power puncher Derrick Lewis at UFC Fight Night 105 in Halifax almost certainly put an end to them. As Lewis dribbled Browne's head off the mat, it became clear a new wave of heavyweights was coming, and this one might finally knock the old guard off their block.

For many years, the heavyweight division has been for the old men of the sport. Iconic figures like Frank Mir, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Josh Barnett dominated the division in a variety of fight promotions around the globe. Others like Alistair Overeem, Andrei Arlovski, Fabricio Werdum, Mark Hunt  and Ben Rothwell remain in the elite of the UFC's heavyweight division despite their longstanding careers.


Feb 19, 2017; Halifax, NS, Canada; Derrick Lewis (red gloves) reacts after defeating Travis Browne (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Scotiabank Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Until recently, there was little room to budge. Fighters like Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos would break through based on their elite, world-level talent, but few others had cracked the UFC top-15 rankings for any extended periods of time.

But that narrative is changing. Longtime fans might fly their #PRIDEneverdie hashtag and talk about the good old days, crying about how each of their favorites has one good run left in them, but fresh talent in a UFC division that has been struggling isn't a bad thing.

When discussing the new wave of heavyweights, there's no better place to start than at the top.

Stipe Miocic, current UFC world heavyweight champion, has lead the charge of athletic, tough, well-rounded heavyweights in the division. After losing to Stefan Struve early in his UFC career, Miocic went on a tear through the heavyweight division, annihilating longtime fringe contenders such as Roy Nelson and Gabriel Gonzaga.

A close decision loss to the former champion dos Santos seemed to only invigorate him, as he ripped through Mark Hunt and Andrei Arlovski on his way to an impressive and dominant display against then champion Fabricio Werdum. His first defense was a first-round knockout of Overeem, and suddenly the division has a world champion that seems ready to take on the world.

But Miocic certainly isn't the only heavyweight making a splash. Lewis' previously discussed knockout of Browne skyrocketed him up to seventh in the rankings. He'll be looking for a big test in his next outing.


Jan 28, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Andrei Arlovski (red gloves) competes against Francis Ngannou (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the scariest of all contenders on their way up is Francis Ngannou.

The Cameroon-born heavyweight destroyer is well-rounded and incredibly athletic. His recent wins against Arlovski and Anthony Hamilton have made fans take notice. Only 30 years old and with three and a half years in the sport, the developing heavyweight could be a threat for a long time to come.

Add to this former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov, as well as new faces like Daniel Omielanczuk, Curtis Blaydes, and Tim Johnson. All of a sudden we have one of the most vibrant, fresh-faced and exciting heavyweight divisions we've seen in years.

These athletes will build on the foundation those before them created. Instead of stepping on the legacies of Nogueira, Mir or Barnett, they'll continue to develop the sport and make their own place in MMA lore.

Boxing historians will tell you there's no more prestigious title than that of the world heavyweight championship. It's why fighters throughout history have done everything in their power to move up and capture the division's crown. Ask Stanley Ketchel, who, despite being a middleweight, challenged Jack Johnson for the heavyweight title in 1909.

Ask Mickey Walker, who insisted on moving up to heavyweight late in his boxing career but fell to eventual champion Max Schmeling. Ask Roy Jones Jr., one of the finest middleweight and light-heavyweight fighters of all time, who couldn't let himself retire before holding a version of the heavyweight title, even if it contributed to his eventual downfall. 

Fight fans want to see athletic, impressive heavyweight fighters. And with this new crop slinging leather inside the UFC Octagon, that is exactly what they'll get.

By Shawn Smith