Feels like quite a few divisions are disputed currently. This is arguably what happens when an entertainment conglomerate with a main focus on profits purchases the reins to a legitimate sporting franchise.
Let's start with disputed UFC belt #1 the Lightweight division
at 155 lbs. there is Tony Ferguson on a 9 fight win streak in the UFC. and Khabib on a 24 fight win streak(8-0 UFC)
The belt becomes real when those guys lose or it's defended again. Until then it's disputed, that's how combat sports work. Tony Ferguson just dismantled RDA, Eddie got the belt from RDA. Khabib also beat RDA soundly. Just a very questioned division in limbo, Conor is the current Champion and deserves credit, but the belt is definitely disputed.
Disputed UFC belt #2 Featherweight
At 145 lbs. there is Max Holloway on a 9 fight win streak in the UFC. His last loss is a decision to Conor McGregor 3+ years ago for Holloway's 10th career fight. Max was also 21 years old then. Jose Aldo has a 26-2 career record. Again an amazing win by McGregor to stun Aldo in 13 seconds, but besides that loss Aldo has won every fight for a decade. Typically under those circumstances a rematch would be given to a long time Champion, but not Aldo, nope he doesn't speak English and there's a big draw out there.
Anyway the 145 lbs. Champion has again not defended the belt here. A 9 fight win streak is unquenched and thrown to the side.
Disputed UFC belt #3 Lightheavyweight
At 205 lbs. Jon Jones has never lost a fight besides the DQ to Hamill. We all know the story here, but the fact remains the current Champion can't be considered a true Champion until Jones loses his belt. Again this is not a real division until the true title is active and in play. Jones is to blame for this, but also Cormier because he couldn't outwrestle Jones the first time.
Disputed UFC belt #4 Heavyweight
Stipe Miocic is one hell of a Champion, he's a true Champion. But this belt is currently under dispute from outside parties. Vitaly Minakov is 18-0. At 31 years old this Russian Sambist reminds us of Khabib Nurmagomedov. A dramatic finisher with all the tools to be current Champ. A contract dispute with Bellator slows his march towards UFC title contention.
Also Cain Velasquez has 1 unavenged loss in his whole career, at 14-2 he may be the best.
Disputed UFC belt #5 Middleweight
Michael Bisping is the Champion. The KO of Rockhold was stunning in brutality. But again Yoel Romero is 8-0 in the UFC. There's a pattern here. The Henderson fight made sense and solidified Bisping as Champion, but the division is disputed through Jacare/Romero. Jacare is 6-1 in the UFC with a split decision loss to Romero. Bisping can bingo anyone, this will be sorted out soon.
Disputed UFC belt #6 Welterweight
Well well well. What do we have here. The karate kid wasn't the one, that kata didn't break the bricks this time. Nothing would have served WWE/IMG better than a role model Champion like Wonderboy that can flip around and deliver flashy finishes. But this is a sport and Wonderboy isn't at that level yet. Now the fans will be sold an immediate rematch between Wonderboy/Woodley, when we all saw who was the better fighter at UFC 205. Woodley nearly finished Thompson multiple times in a bloodbath. You could tell by the judging there is a desperate desire to rip the belt from AWA.
Raise your hand if you think Ben Askren is the best 170 lbs. fighter in the world
Make no mistake about it. This is Ben Askren's division. When we saw Khabib get top position and go straight to side control, we all schucked and said damn man that's what Askren does to everyone. 15-0. Unblemished record. Former Bellator Champ. Out of all the top Welterweights, his run has been the most lopsided.
Conor can't claim 3 divisions concurrently without Askren.
I'm one of Woodley's biggest fans. Woodley probably can't grapple with Askren for 25 minutes, we saw him get tired vs. Wonderboy, Shields and Rory, we've never seen Askren get tired vs. anyone. Ben is his coach and they wouldn't fight, but cmon man..This is a facade. Get the sport together.
