For the first time in nearly a decade, the light heavyweight division is set to have a champion not named Jon Jones or Daniel Cormier. With the former’s decision to move up to the heavyweight ranks and the latter’s retirement, the 205-pound landscape has never been more unpredictable. Granted, Jones’ last two title defenses against Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes hinted at the evolution in the division’s new blood.
Reyes and Polish finisher Jan Blachowicz are set to fight for the vacant belt at UFC 253 on Fight Island this weekend, but there are plenty of light heavyweights looking to make their case to compete for gold sooner rather than later, as well as a new wave of lethal up-and-comers bringing a new spice to the weight class.