The fighters that make up the Heavyweight Division in EA SPORTS UFC:
Brock Lesnar
Few people have made as immediate of an impact on the sport of MMA as Brock Lesnar. With a 106-5 college wrestling record in his back pocket, Lesnar stepped away from the WWE and donned a pair of MMA gloves with the intent of proving that he could compete with the best fighters on the planet. Making his professional debut in 2007, it would take only three more fights for Lesnar to find himself on the sport’s biggest stage, winning the UFC Heavyweight title – ironically dethroning Randy Couture, the only other fighter in UFC history to capture the belt in their fourth pro bout in the process. Offering a mixture of raw power and athleticism rarely seen in the Heavyweight division, Lesnar quickly became one of the UFC’s top draws, defending his belt twice before ultimately surrendering it to current champion Cain Velasquez. Despite stepping away from MMA in 2011 due to health reasons, conversation surrounding the former champ’s potential return to the Octagon has never died out in the years since.
Mark Coleman
One of MMA’s original Heavyweight stars, Mark “The Hammer” Coleman not only took home top honors in the UFC 10 and 11 tournament, but also went on to get his hand raised as the organization’s first official Heavyweight champ at UFC 12. Known for punishing his opponents on the ground with brutal strikes that even included some well-timed headbutts, it’s no surprise that Coleman soon became known among UFC fans as the Godfather of Ground and Pound. Following his first four pro MMA losses, Coleman went on to resurrect his career fighting in PRIDE, eventually winning the Pride Openweight Grand Prix in 2000. Coleman would finish his career where it began, back in the UFC, winning one of his final bouts against Stephan Bonnar at the historic UFC 100. Coleman was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 182, making him the Hall’s fifth inductee.
Andrei Arlovski
After making his UFC debut back in 2000 and eventually going on to claim the Heavyweight title, Andrei “Pit Bull” Arlovski is currently enjoying a resurgence with the organization that helped put him on the MMA map. Making his return to the UFC in 2014, the former champ has gone 2-0 since stepping back into the Octagon, most recently knocking out Bigfoot Silva in under three minutes in Brazil. Still one of the most dangerous and well-respected Heavyweights in the game, Arlovski has consistently demonstrated a knack for taking care of business quickly in his bouts, boasting 12 first-round finishes with 16 of his 23 career victories coming by way of knockout. With momentum on his side, Arlovski has his sights set on making another run at the same title he held nearly a decade ago.
Stipe Miocic
One of the biggest threats in the UFC’s Heavyweight division, Stipe Miocic kicked off his professional MMA career in February of 2010, and has maintained a nearly spotless record since. Following his lone defeat to Stefan Struve, Miocic has strung together three straight wins which included unanimous decision victories over the likes of Roy Nelson and Gabriel Gonzaga. Crisp striking and heavy hands have helped the Ohio native earn nine of his 12 career wins by knockout. Ready for a run at the UFC Heavyweight title, Miocic is eyeing a bout against former champ Junior Dos Santos for his next Octagon appearance.
Cain Velasquez
Rapidly making a case for himself as the most dominant Heavyweight to ever step inside the Octagon, “The Baddest Man on the Planet”, Cain Velasquez doesn’t look to be letting go of his title anytime soon. An outstanding wrestler who can also throw leather with best in the world, Velasquez sets himself apart from his opponents thanks to a seemingly bottomless gas tank that allows him to push the pace and overwhelm the opposition far into the championship rounds. Since reclaiming the belt from Junior Dos Santos and avenging the only loss of his career at the end of 2012, Velasquez has been unstoppable in each of his ensuing appearances.
Pat Barry
Beginning his fight career as a professional kickboxer, Pat “HD” Barry made his MMA debut in 2008, immediately putting his skills on display, earning a TKO by leg kicks in the first round. After going 3-0 to begin his MMA career, Barry made the jump to the UFC later that same year with a first-round stoppage against Dan Evensen. A consummate striker, Barry boasted one-punch knockout power as is evidenced in his two Knockout of the Night and two Fight of the Night honors awarded to him during his time in the UFC.
Travis Browne
One of the fastest rising stars of the UFC’s Heavyweight division, Travis “Hapa” Browne has shown consistent improvement every time he’s stepped into the Octagon since first making this debut with the organization back in 2010. Since dropping his bout to Bigfoot Silva after tearing a hamstring mid-fight, Browne has been on an impressive march towards a title shot, stringing together three straight wins and three Knockout of the Night bonuses. Known for putting on entertaining fights and putting up big finishes, it’s likely only a matter of time before UFC fans see Hapa challenging for the belt.
Junior Dos Santos
Possessing some of the most polished and powerful boxing the UFC’s Heavyweight division has to offer, it is little surprise that 13 of Junior Dos Santos’ 16 MMA wins have come by way of knockout. The former Heavyweight champ, Cigano has only two losses to his name in 12 UFC appearances, with both being handed to him by current title-holder Cain Velasquez. Chances are it won’t be too long before Dos Santos’ name finds its way back into the title-contention picture.
Mark Hunt
Boasting some of the heaviest hands in the UFC’s hardest-hitting division, Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt has made a career of putting on spectacular fights against the planet’s top Heavyweight talent. After logging highlight reel knockouts of Cheick Kongo and Stefan Struve, Hunt most recently proved again that he’s both one of the most durable and dangerous fighters in the game, dropping jaws around the world with an unforgettable five-round performance against Bigfoot Silva.
Frank Mir
Stepping into the Octagon for the first time in only his third pro bout, Frank Mir has been a staple of the UFC’s Heavyweight division since 2001. After winning the Heavyweight title from Tim Sylvia in 2004, Mir was sidelined for 20 months by a near career-ending motorcycle accident. His return to the sport is recognized as one of the greatest comebacks in UFC history, with Mir managing to fight his way back to become the division’s interim champion in 2008. An impressive ground game has helped Mir secure devastating submission wins over, Sylvia, Brock Lesnar, Cheick Kongo and Minotauro Nogueira.
Roy Nelson
One of the hardest hitters in the UFC’s Heavyweight division, Roy “Big Country” Nelson has proven time and again that he packs enough power to end any fight with a single punch. Winner of The Ultimate Fighter Season 10, Nelson quickly established himself as a fan-favorite, earning a second-round TKO victory over street-fighter Kimbo Slice in his first fight of the show before going on to win the title. Despite being a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and a long time student of Renzo Gracie, Big Country has primarily stuck to his standup game during his time in the UFC, earning all his wins in the organization by way of TKO/KO.
Minotauro Nogueira
Truly one of MMA’s living legends, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira has the distinction of being the only fighter in history to have won both the UFC and PRIDE Heavyweight belts. Throughout his storied career, Minotauro has racked up wins over the top talent in his division while earning himself a reputation as a fan favorite thanks to incredible displays of toughness and amazing comeback victories.
Alistair Overeem
With an MMA career dating all the way back to 1999, Alistair “The Reem” Overeem has competed in 51 professional bouts under the banner of multiple organizations, mounting 37 victories in that time. A well-rounded fighter boasting some of the most devastating kicks in the UFC’s Heavyweight division, Overeem has displayed an affinity for finishing fights over the course of his career, logging 19 wins by submission and 15 by KO, going the distance in only three of his pro victories. After having a 12-fight undefeated streak snapped by back-to-back losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne, Overeem recently got himself back on the right track with a convincing win over veteran Heavyweight Frank Mir.
Antonio Silva
Antonio Silva, more commonly known to fight fans around the world as “Bigfoot” has been fighting professionally since 2005 when he kicked off his MMA career by going putting together a 7-0 record out of the gate. Extremely large and undeniably powerful, Silva owns some of the most powerful strikes in the Heavyweight division as is evidenced by his 14 career KO/TKO finishes. Silva made his UFC debut in 2012, facing off against current champ Cain Velasquez before going on to earn two impressive knockouts over Travis Browne and Alistair Overeem.
Fabricio Werdum
One of the biggest threats currently throwing down in the UFC’s Heavyweight division, Fabricio Werdum is a true MMA veteran and boasts a professional career that dates all the way back to 2002. Riding a three-fight win streak since returning to the UFC in February of 2012, Werdum has most recently showcased his versatile skill-set with a KO win over Mike Russow followed by a submission victory over Minotauro Nogueira. Currently, Werdum ranks among the top five Heavyweights in the UFC.
Daniel Cormier
With an Olympic pedigree and an ever-evolving skill set as a mixed martial artist, Daniel “DC” Cormier has rapidly developed a reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters competing in the UFC’s upper weight classes. After debuting in the Octagon as a Heavyweight and putting together consecutive wins over Frank Mir and Roy Nelson, DC transitioned to the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division where he remained undefeated with victories over Patrick Cummins and Dan Henderson. With a spotless record under his belt and arguably some of the best wrestling in the organization, expect to see Cormier fighting for a UFC title sooner than later.
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