5 blockbuster fights to book in the UFC heavyweight division

#2. Curtis Blaydes vs. Tom Aspinall

As mentioned earlier on in this piece, the UFC likes to match up fighters who are coming off similar results. Over the span of a week in March, Curtis Blaydes and Tom Aspinall further solidified their claims to a championship opportunity.

Blaydes made a resounding statement at UFC Columbus. The wrestling phenom knocked out Chris Daukaus in devastating fashion to successfully defend his place in the top five. He has now won six of his last seven bouts and is likely just one win away from a title shot. Considering he has already lost to Francis Ngannou twice, 'Razor' can't afford to rest on his laurels and expect a shot at the belt.

Seven days prior to Curtis Blaydes' win over Chris Daukaus, rising English heavyweight Tom Aspinall emerged victorious in the biggest fight of his career. Previously ranked No.11, Aspinall was booked to headline the UFC Fight Night event at the O2 Arena in London.

Aspinall squared off against MMA veteran Alexander Volkov, who was ranked in the top ten going into UFC London. Most were of the opinion that Volkov would be a really tough outing for the young Englishman, considering the Russian's experience and stand-up skills.

Aspinall made it look easy, dominating every second of the fight before finding a neat submission in the very first round. He claimed the No.6 spot in the rankings soon after and is very close to getting a title shot.

With both Curtis Blaydes and Tom Aspinall currently ranked in the top six of the division, a fight between the two streaking heavyweights is likely the best move forward. Aspinall's wrestling defense is yet to be properly tested in the UFC and a fight against Blaydes will provide us with a better understanding of both fighters' ceilings. Additionally, this would be a title eliminator bout, making it a high stakes contest.

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#1. Stipe Miocic vs. Jon Jones – For the interim UFC heavyweight championship

As discussed in the introduction, heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is currently sidelined. In such situations, an interim title is typically created, preventing a log-jam in the division. There's only one fight to make if an interim champion needs to be crowned – Stipe Miocic vs. Jon Jones.

Stipe Miocic, arguably the greatest heavyweight of all time, fully deserves a shot at UFC gold despite the fact that he's coming off a loss. He is now 1-1 with Francis Ngannou and a trilogy bout needs to take place at some point down the line. With Ngannou sidelined, Miocic could secure a third outing against the champion by winning an interim title.

Miocic will likely have to take on Jon Jones if an interim title is created. Jones, the longtime light heavyweight kingpin, vacated his 205-pound belt in 2020 and has been packing on quite a bit of size and muscle as he gears up for a move up to heavyweight.

Jones' resume and status as one of the best fighters to ever grace the octagon warrants an immediate shot at the title. A potential Miocic vs. Jones championship bout would be a huge attraction and the storyline sells itself: the greatest light heavyweight in UFC history vs. the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.

Adding to the drama, the victor will take on perhaps the scariest heavyweight in UFC history, Francis Ngannou, in a blockbuster title unification bout.