Fans want enough of one division that was once the most stars in MMA after UFC Abu Dhabi.
The event on Saturday in the middle -East had a lot of memorable action, including the victory of Reinier de Ridder at Robert Whittaker in a main event in which both men fluctuated on certain points.
Elsewhere, Petr Yan delivered in his return, Shara Magomedov fought through a horrible nose break to return to the circle of the winner, Bogdan Guskov needed only 42 seconds to set up a top 10 opponent and left Tabatha Ribas who needed an operation.
But it didn't start exactly on an entertaining note at UFC Abu Dhabi …
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida's debut fell flat in heavyweight snoozer at UFC Abu Dhabi
Not much have arrived in the largest stage in MMA with the kind of references that Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida has on site. The 35-year-old, who owns a 4th-degree black belt, confirmed himself as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend by becoming a multi-time world jiu-jitsu and ADCC Submission Fighting Champion.
After 'Buchecha' signed with one championship in 2020, he went 5-1 in the circle and only lost due to the then Future Heavyweight Champion Oudmar 'RUG RUG' Kane in a memorable three-round war in Bangkok.
But although he had hoped to repeat his fast start of life under one banner after he jumped to the UFC, Almeida was 'fraud controlled' by Martin Buday at UFC Abu Dhabi.
The Slovakse, who occupied the number 13 spot in the heavyweight ranking, got the job in a slow heavyweight affair that both men saw tired.
It is sufficient to say that it was not the start of the map that the fans were on.
Fans have had enough of the UFC Heavyweight Division
More than just a disappointing debut for a highly certified BJJ legend in 'Buchecha', that fight is perhaps the drop that the camel broke back when it comes to how fans watch the heavyweight division.
In addition to the elites of the weight class, such as champion Tom Aspinall, upcoming challenger Ciryl Gane and the often destructive Jailton Almeida, there has been much to be desired for a long time about the rest of the schedule.
And the newest slog between heavy -level heavy -level weights let many go so far to appeal to Dana White and the UFC to fully eliminate the division.
“Feel bad for Tom Aspinall, but they have to remove the heavyweight division for the well -being of the fans.”
“If it were not for Aspinall, I would be completely in favor of heavyweight.”
“It's like watching another sport. Horrrendous Slop.”
“You tell me that this man is only 13 slots under Tom Aspinall? This is the condition of the heavyweight division in the UFC?”
“They have to cut as half of the heavyweight division.”
“This fight is precisely the reason why heavyweight is the most soring division in the @UFC.”
“Pls remove the heavyweight division!”
“Heavyweight is such a -. Remove this division.”
“That was, by the way, a ranked HW fight. The entire division must be closed.”
That was, by the way, a ranked HW fight. The entire division must be closed
– Caposa (@grabaka_hitman) 26 July 2025
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In the meantime, others have made alternative suggestions …
“Division with a weight limit of 245 pounds would solve all this – so these guys appear at least in shape.”
“Bring the featherweight of the women back,” wrote MMA legend Cris Cyborg.
“I think we just have to fight Ngannou and Aspinall every few months until Ngannou retires and that simply calls the heavyweight division.”
“Just leave them juice.”