UFC Heavyweight Division Actually the Smallest - Details

The UFC has assembled the largest, deepest roster of MMA talent in the world. But when it comes to the heavyweights, seven of the Top 10 in the Sherdog rankings are plying their trade elsewhere. Fedor Emelianenko, Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski and Josh Barnett were all part of last month’s Affliction: Banned event.

Part of the reason for this slowdown is the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter, in which interim Heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and No. 1 contender Frank Mir are acting as coaches. They won’t meet until December, after the series is done airing. But Emelianenko’s refusal to sign with UFC, and Couture’s subsequent defection, have kept what should be the biggest money fight in MMA out of the Octagon.

Into the breach steps Brock Lesnar. He’s a –230 favorite over Heath Herring (+180) at Saturday’s UFC 87 event in his home state of Minnesota. He’s big, and he’s popular, but is he ready to lead?