Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou—for several years, they've been the three-man weave at the top of the heavyweight division.
Going back to 2016, in Miocic's first title defense, these three fighters have comprised 14 of the 18 combatants involved in undisputed UFC heavyweight title bouts.
It's time for fresh blood, a new talent infusion. And it's coming.
Cormier is retired. Miocic is 39 and mired in inactivity. A move up to heavyweight for Jon Jones would be a welcome and intriguing addition, but he's too mercurial to rely on.
As for Ngannou, well, the champ can stay, one supposes.