When spectators look at the talent pool in the sport of mixed martial arts, no other current fight promotion compare to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. There is no shortage of talent in the light heavyweight, welterweight or lightweight divisions; The top five fighters in those weight classes could be champions on any given day! There was always one weight class that paled in comparison to the rest, though, and it was the big boys.

The heavyweight division of UFC, while entertaining to watch, never before had the depth it does today. Ironically enough, fighters like Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett, Andrei Arlovski, Mark Hunt and Alistair Overeem were part of an era when the heavyweight division severely lacked depth. Now, these veterans have not only evolved into world-class fighters, but are also helping the likes of Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, Stipe Miocic and Ben Rothwell reach the caliber they’re at today.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir admits that his competition is the best it’s ever been. “I think this era right now is the best it’s ever been,” Mir said to FOX Sports. “I think in the past we always had top level guys but I think it dwindled off after four or five,” Mir explained. “Right now there’s guys that are 12th, 13th, 14th, that are great fighters in the heavyweight division.”

Roy Nelson, Matt Mitrione and Stefan Struve sit toward the bottom of the division and all possess either great potential or fantastic knockout power. Who do you think of those three fighters could crack the top ten next? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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