FRAT Warning: Just click away now if you're not up for a long read.
Brock was the first UFC fighter in over 12.5 years to become the consensus #1 HW in MMA. In fact, since the end of 1997, the UFC had not had a single HW fighting in its octagon who was either ranked #1 or generally recognized as the absolute best (i.e., the one who would have been favored to beat every other HW, or fighter, in the sport at that point).
After 1997, both the reigning UFC HW Champion in Randy and the reigning 2-time HW Tournament Champion in Mark Kerr (who was generally considered the best HW in NHB then) left the UFC during their reigns for Japan - and since then, no UFC HW titleholder, and no UFC HW at all, had ever reclaimed that top spot (whether in terms of rankings or being considered the best), until 2010.
It wasn't just Randy and Kerr, either. In fact, after the end of '97, EVERY single current and previous UFC HW/Open-weight champion had left the UFC, mostly for Japan - Randy, Kerr, Mo Smith, Coleman, Severn, Ken, and Royce - which highlighted an overall exodus of top talent from the U.S. NHB scene, especially at HW, and marked the beginning of an increasing shift of NHB's epicenter to Japan (especially with the emergence of Pride).
The end of 1997 was the last time that being a UFC HW champion of any kind had meant any kind of singular supremacy in the sport.
The UFC's HW titleholders since Randy and Kerr, and up until Brock-Carwin, had been Bas, Randleman, Randy, Barnett, Ricco, Sylvia, Mir, Arlovski, Sylvia, Randy, Nog, and Mir - and none of them were #1 or considered the best at that time. Actually, the most highly ranked and regarded UFC HW titleholders in that 12-year stretch had been ranked #2 at best and considered second-best at best (e.g., Barnett and Nog), while most were not even as high as that.
It took the combination of Brock Lesnar, a suddenly revitalized UFC HW division, the UFC's expanded brand prestige and influence, and ultimately, perennial #1 Fedor's decisive upset loss - who had previously monopolized the top spot for over 7 years straight as the universal #1 - to finally reverse over 12 years of accumulated history against HW supremacy in the UFC.
The UFC's recent HW revival has not been limited to just #1, though.
In the last couple of years, the UFC has also reversed the trend of most of the previous decade where, in addition to not having the #1 HW, the UFC perennially did not have most of the top-10 HW's in MMA - where the majority had instead perennially been in Pride up until 2007 (and the #1 HW in Pride had also been the universally #1 HW in MMA for the entire decade up to that point). Meanwhile, the UFC's own HW class was still not one of its premier divisions until 2008-2009, with the emergence of new monsters like Brock, Carwin, Cain, and Dos Santos.
The Brock-Carwin fight formally finalized an historic shift in the division in that, in the wake of Fedor's loss (and with an improved UFC HW division), it was now known that - for the first time since the end of '97 - the winner of a HW fight in the UFC, the UFC HW champion, would be the consensus #1 HW in MMA.
With Brock becoming #1, this was now also the first time in Zuffa history - again the first time in over 12 years, and the first time since the UFC had more than 2 weight classes - that the UFC has the consensus #1's in every single one of its weight classes.
(Where HW had been the longest hold-out - while 205 had now been consolidated in the UFC after the Pride purchase, and an undisputed #1 crowned there since 2007-2008 - Anderson has been the dominant #1 at 185 since 2006, 170 has been the UFC's domain with the #1 spot monopolized since Hughes-Sakurai, and LW was claimed after the UFC brought the division back and BJ Penn came back down to it and became the consensus #1 in 2008.)
Another historic milestone that Brock represents is that he was also the first HW in over a decade, since Kerr, to become the new consensus #1 without having to face and beat - or at least beat up (a la Igor over Kerr) - anyone who was even arguably #1 or considered the single absolute best at the time.
(Where, unlike Brock - before him, Fedor, Nog, Coleman, and Igor had all had to face, outfight, and go through the previous #1 to become #1 themselves.)
Another very telling fact is that Brock was already named #1 at HW on some rankings, including arguably the two most prominent ones in MMAWeekly and Sherdog - immediately in the week following Fedor's loss, even BEFORE his fight with Carwin. Which was the first time in MMA history that a fighter - in any weight class - had ever ascended to the top spot without fighting, let alone winning, a single fight in virtually a year.
That in itself speaks to the power and influence of the UFC brand name now - and even just the sheer nominal force of its title. (Even though the UFC's title at HW had not signified being #1 or the best in over 12 years.) The rankings just could not wait to crown the official UFC champion as their new #1.
(Where, while most fighters usually drop in the rankings after that kind of inactivity, Brock not only did not drop, but rose - and not only rose, but rose as high as a fighter could possibly go - which was completely unprecedented. So not only did Brock not have to fight the previous #1 to become #1 - Brock did not even have to fight at all for a year to rise to #1, because of his formally retained position as the champion of the preeminent brand.)
Another interesting fact to note, however, is that when Brock first became UFC champion after beating Randy - going into 2009, he was not even generally ranked top-5 yet, and not ranked as high as #2 on even a SINGLE major ranking, despite already being UFC champion. Which goes to show just how far the perception of the UFC's HW division and its title had come in just a year and a half, and even during Brock's reign itself.
(Where even up through the beginning of Brock's own reign, the UFC HW title had not traditionally defined any preeminent status in the division.)
But in any case, regardless of the history and the established precedent it has defied - Brock becoming #1 reflected the new reality that just being the UFC HW champion in itself will almost automatically be enough to make someone the consensus #1 from now on, with Brock serving as the new starting-point - following the Fedor loss and cemented with his win over Carwin - which will then follow on to whoever beats Brock, and so on.
Brock has made history, reversed history, and been a significant historical exception in more ways than one. But ultimately, in addition to embodying the ultimate brand power and influence of the UFC now, the most lastingly significant consequence of all will be that - after over a 12-year absence during its 17-year history - Brock has finally brought the ultimate symbol of HW supremacy back to where it originated: To the UFC and its title.
TTT.
Wealth of information. Wish they made the Whistleblower ground so us noobs would read up and get alot of knowledge.
voted up for some sanity in this place.
Welcome to the Corporation aka UFC.
Good read btw.
the whistle has been blown
The Firm
Btw, Randy in particular really helped devalue the UFC HW title, and was a big reason why the status of #1 HW and absolute best had originally diverged from the status of UFC HW Champion in the first place (although Randy was never really considered the absolute best, even while he was still the legit Champion, as at that point he would have still gone in as the underdog to Kerr, the UFC HW Tournament Champion, and other bigger, stronger wrestlers like Erikson and Coleman).
Because Randy during his first two stints as the reigning UFC HW Champion went over to Japan, and was quickly and easily submitted by two underdogs in Enson and Valentijn before he had ever lost in the UFC.
This really did a lot to take away from the perceived supremacy of the UFC HW Champion at the time. (Especially when the Enson loss happened, where before that fight, Randy could still make a legitimate claim to being the rightful #1 or the most definitive HW Champion in NHB - but not any more after that.) Whereas before Randy, it had been virtually unquestioned that the UFC titleholder was the most legitimate and significant HW Champion in the sport.
Randy is a legit all-time great, and no greater, more accomplished fighter has ever held the UFC HW title (although Randy wasn't the most consistently dominant force at HW) - but no other HW Champion did more to detract from the preeminence of the UFC HW title than Randy originally did.
and VTFU
whistleblower - It wasn't just Randy and Kerr, either. In fact, after the end of '97, EVERY single current and previous UFC HW/Open-weight champion had left the UFC, mostly for Japan - Randy, Kerr, Mo Smith, Coleman, Severn, Ken, and Royce - which highlighted an overall exodus of top talent from the U.S. NHB scene, especially at HW, and marked the beginning of an increasing shift of NHB's epicenter to Japan (especially with the emergence of Pride).
I wanted to add to this that, after the mass-migration at HW in the late 90's from the UFC, there wasn't just an increasing shift from the U.S. to Japan, but also an increasing shift within the UFC itself - from its traditional HW/Open-weight emphasis to its new 200/205 division, which was then left as its new marquee weight class almost by default after the vacuum that was left at HW.
Their second-biggest weight class came to the fore, and is where definingly dominant champions like Frank Shamrock and then Tito Ortiz became the promotional centerpieces that carried the UFC through its dark ages. (Which set a precedent that then continued on past the dark ages and even on through into the beginning of the post-TUF boom - where its LHW division continued to be the main attraction, with defining and popular champions like Randy and Chuck - while the HW division still continued to struggle in the UFC.)
The UFC's traditionally lacking HW division is what simultaneously helped the rise of its 200/205 division in turn. It's no accident that the emergence of the UFC's second-biggest weight class coincided with the fading of its biggest one.
WB is correct, and the truth reflected in the post is actually quite disturbing in ways.
In addition to Weekly and Sherdog which annointed Brock, prior to even actually fighting, Luke Thomas at Bloody Elbow immediately declared Brock the top HW in the world, despite the fact that he hadn't even fought Carwin yet. The Fedor-Werdum fight had barely ended when Thomas declared, in this colorful--and no doubt, totally objective post:
"While White and all of MMA fandom lost out on what could've been gigantic fights, the coffin closed on another lingering argument that simply wouldn't go away. It's now official: the UFC is the NFL of MMA. They now house the number one fighter in every single division (bantamweight and above) and solid majority of the rest of the top contenders in each division. That criteria itself was part of Nate's argument about why the UFC shouldn't be considered the NFL of MMA. With that T crossed and I dotted, the debate is over."
Not only do they house the number 1 fighter, presumably Carwin would have ascended to the Number 1 spot had he defeated Brock.
They will continue to whittle, until they have at least the top 5 ranked fighters according to this objective media in every weight class, rendering all other promotions essentially irrelevant to the casual fan.
I wouldn't say he is consensus #1 HW, look at what he did when Carwin started landing punches on him. He looked like a retarded kid being swarmed by bees.
Great post, whistleblower. Thanks much for the read.
I inexplicably left off the next sentence from the Luke Thomas article--which is quite amazing:
"Moreover, one wonders if other organizations will even have the capability to ever produce another division leader (they certainly will not at heavyweight)."
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/6/27/1539831/dana-white-and-ufc-are-biggest
WB is correct--the media just COULD NOT wait to crown the UFC HW as the consensus number 1--no matter who it was.
ttt for quality posting.
the entire scene has changed drastically, and is still changing.
its still entertaining (mostly) and there will be interesting fights as long as new fighters keep showing up...but imo theres something...soulless...about modern mma culture. revisionist history, overpromotion, media bias, incredibly incompetent judging, the ufc's attempt at a monopoly, integration into pop culture...I like fights, and will watch combat sports in all their forms and variations...but honestly I don't really care for mma in its current form. its often a chore to sift through the inane bullshit, bias, and fluff that comes with following or watching an event or fight these days.
still, for now I watch for the fights...at least until mma completely jumps the shark and the ufc succeeds in totally monopolizing the sport. once that day comes, and Im sure it will...I'll have little interest in watching market driven matchmaking and contenders fabricated rather than allowed to earn their rank.
Absolutely excellent read. Great work whistleblower.
whistleblower - In fact, since the end of 1997, the UFC had not had a single HW fighting in its octagon who was either ranked #1 or generally recognized as the absolute best (i.e., the one who would have been favored to beat every other HW, or fighter, in the sport at that point).
I have to disagree on this detail - being favored over everyone else isn't the critera by which Brock is #1, because there's little question that he'd be the betting underdog to Fedor. Yet Fedor doesn't deserve to be #1 ranked over Brock because that's based on wins/losses.
Another very telling fact is that Brock was already named #1 at HW on some rankings, including arguably the two most prominent ones in MMAWeekly and Sherdog - immediately in the week following Fedor's loss, even BEFORE his fight with Carwin. Which was the first time in MMA history that a fighter - in any weight class - had ever ascended to the top spot without fighting, let alone winning, a single fight in virtually a year.
If this happened that's nonsense. Before beating Carwin Brock in no way deserved a #1 ranking, that's not even a justifiable position to have taken. Sherdog often has pretty crappy rankings, even though media outlets widely use them. I'm surprised MMAWeekly would do this though, their rankings are usually pretty good.
stickapple - How does your opinion of what Brock did in a fight that he won change the rankings?
While I agree that it doesn't mean Brock isn't #1, the manner of victory does matter. For instance there's a reason why Shogun's grand prix win is perhaps the most legendary accomplishment in MMA history - it wasn't just that he won, it was how he completely beasted over and ran through Rampage, Overeem and Arona.
Winning fights in dominant fashion vs. eeking out a win often affects rankings in actual practice. In this case it did not because of the opening created by Fedor's loss. If Fedor had lost a controversial decision or something rather than being subbed in a minute, then would have made the situation more debatable as well.
Great post WB. VTFU when i get home. 
Thanks whistleblower. Nice read.
Thanks for all the kind words. Mace, great to see you posting.
DaemonDragon -whistleblower - In fact, since the end of 1997, the UFC had not had a single HW fighting in its octagon who was either ranked #1 or generally recognized as the absolute best (i.e., the one who would have been favored to beat every other HW, or fighter, in the sport at that point).
I have to disagree on this detail - being favored over everyone else isn't the critera by which Brock is #1
Great point, and if you'll note, I never said otherwise - or even indicated that Brock was now the consensus absolute best, or the one who would be favored over Fedor or everyone else in the sport at this point, like Fedor once definitely was (and still may be).
Brock is, however, the consensus #1 ranked HW now. That is just a quantitative fact (whether you consider him the absolute best or not).
DamnSevern - <img src="http://i28.tinypic.com/2rmmayo.jpg" alt="http://i28.tinypic.com/2rmmayo.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 207px;" />
and VTFU<br type="_moz" />
the last bit of mir on the floor unconscious is some scary shit.
DaemonDragon -Another very telling fact is that Brock was already named #1 at HW on some rankings, including arguably the two most prominent ones in MMAWeekly and Sherdog - immediately in the week following Fedor's loss, even BEFORE his fight with Carwin. Which was the first time in MMA history that a fighter - in any weight class - had ever ascended to the top spot without fighting, let alone winning, a single fight in virtually a year.
If this happened that's nonsense. Before beating Carwin Brock in no way deserved a #1 ranking, that's not even a justifiable position to have taken.
Oh it happened.
Here are the MMAWeekly rankings from after the Fedor-Werdum fight, and before Brock fought Carwin:
- MMA TOP 10 UPDATE: HEAVYWEIGHT SHAKE-UP
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - MMAWeekly.com World MMA Rankings
...
Below are the current MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings, which are up-to-date as of June 30.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (over 205 pounds)
#1 Heavyweight Fighter in the World: Brock Lesnar
2. Fabricio Werdum
3. Fedor Emelianenko
4. Shane Carwin
5. Cain Velasquez
6. Junior Dos Santos
7. Alistair Overeem
8. Frank Mir
9. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
10. Brett Rogers
(http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=11911)
And here are the Sherdog rankings from after the Fedor-Werdum fight, and before Brock fought Carwin:
June 29, 2010
Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
After 20 fights and seven and a half years, Fedor Emelianenko's reign atop the heavyweight division is over.
...
Heavyweight
1. Brock Lesnar (4-1)
While we do not know exactly how Lesnar will look in his return to the cage after his bout with diverticulitis, we do know his foe. Come July 3, he will take on Shane Carwin to unify both halves of the UFC heavyweight mantle in what should be a blockbuster match for the promotion.
2. Fabricio Werdum (14-4-1)
Werdum improbably seized the biggest moment of his career on June 26. It took the grappling star just 69 seconds to end Fedor Emelianenko's seven-plus-year reign over the heavyweight division. Whether Werdum's next bout is a rematch against Emelianenko or former victim Alistair Overeem, his victory will remain a massive moment in MMA history.
3. Fedor Emelianenko (31-2, 1 NC)
All good things come to an end. It was March 2003 when Emelianenko upset Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to take MMA's heavyweight mantle, and 87 months later, it took Fabricio Werdum just 69 seconds to force "The Last Emperor" to tap and concede that top spot. The next step for Emelianenko remains unclear, but the heavyweight landscape has definitely changed.
4. Cain Velasquez (8-0)
Whether one wants to call it a passing of the torch or a coming-out party, Velasquez's performance against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 110 was short and brutal. In less than half a round, Velasquez destroyed one of MMA's most historically outstanding heavyweights in easily his most impressive performance to date.
5. Shane Carwin (12-0)
It took almost four minutes -- an eternity by his usual standards -- but at UFC 111 in Newark, N.J., Carwin blew off Frank Mir's doors in the first round to claim the UFC interim heavyweight title. However, the real championship will be contested July 3, when Carwin meets Brock Lesnar.
6. Frank Mir (13-5)
Mir entered his March 27 bout with Shane Carwin as a slight betting favorite. However, he looked none the part in the cage, as Carwin bashed him with left hands in the clinch and decimated the former UFC champion to take the promotion's interim title. With it, he took Mir's chance for a rubber match with Brock Lesnar.
7. Junior dos Santos (11-1)
With five stoppages in five bouts inside the Octagon, dos Santos has put himself right in the UFC heavyweight title mix. "Cigano" might cinch a title shot for the latter stages of 2010 at UFC 117 on Aug. 7, when he meets "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 10 winner Roy Nelson in what should be an entertaining heavyweight tilt.
8. Alistair Overeem (33-11, 1 NC)
The next significant bout for Overeem became obscured in just 69 seconds. Originally thought to be the most attractive opponent for Fedor Emelianenko, the shocking defeat of "The Last Emperor" and his potential rematch with Fabricio Werdum leaves no clear path for Overeem.
9. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1, 1 NC)
"Minotauro" had an army of backers who felt the former Pride and UFC heavyweight champion would put on a vintage performance against Cain Velasquez at UFC 110. However, post-fight discussion centered on whether or not Nogueira still has the physical tools to hang with young, elite heavyweights after Velasquez polished him off in a little more than two minutes.
10. Antonio Silva (14-2)
Ever since he ran roughshod over heavyweights in Europe back in 2005, onlookers expected heavyweight greatness from Silva. On May 15, "Bigfoot" finally took a step toward those expectations, soundly outboxing Andrei Arlovski to a unanimous decision and recording the most important win of his career.
(http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/2/Sherdog-Official-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Rankings-25392)
Again, this was the first time in MMA history that a fighter, in any weight class, had ascended to the #1 spot without having won, or even fought, a single fight in virtually a year.
Brock was also the first HW in over a decade to become #1 without having to go through the previous #1 first. (Breaking the precedent going all the way back to the late 90's - established from Kerr to Igor to Coleman to Nog to Fedor.)