The UFC’s heavyweight division has been in a special state in recent years.
After Jon Jones’ controversial title reign, which ended after just one title defense and a refusal to fight Tom Aspinall, the UFC’s heavyweight division remains in an interesting spot. Aspinall defended the undisputed heavyweight championship at UFC 321, fighting to a no contest against Ciryl Gane after being poked in the eye several times.
The heavyweight division still includes top stars like Derrick Lewis and rising contenders like Waldo Cortes-Acosta. But according to Joe Rogan, an MMA pioneer could compete in today’s heavyweight division if he were to make a late comeback.
Joe Rogan: Tank Abbott would ‘strengthen’ most UFC heavyweights
In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan ExperienceRogan belittled the state of the UFC heavyweight division, saying 60-year-old Tank Abbott could challenge for a title if he returned to the cage.
“I think Tank Abbott would do really well,” Rogan said. “Because the heavyweight division is the most superficial division. Would he really do well against guys like Ciryl Gane or Tom Aspinall? Probably not, but he didn’t really do well against guys like Maurice Smith. The real elite strikers of that era.”
“But Tank Abbott was a huge man. He was a huge, powerful man who had ridiculous knockout power and was often brawling…
“Tank Abbott would still have a lot of people in the lower ranks of the heavyweight division.” (h/t MMA fighting)
Abbott fought in several UFC heavyweight tournaments in the 1990s, scoring victories over the likes of Sam Adkins, Steve Nelmark and Wesley “Cabbage” Correia. He retired following a King of the Cage loss to Ruben Villareal in April 2013.
Rogan wants the UFC heavyweight division to create new stars amid Aspinall’s uncertain timeline for a return to the cage. If Jones returns to the Octagon at the White House later this year, it could be enough to put a bigger spotlight on the heavyweight division.
Do you agree with Joe Rogan? Let us know in the comments!
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