With almost every relevant heavyweight crammed into one event, it’s difficult not to be excited for UFC 146. Heavyweights are the main attraction in all combat sports so creating an all-heavyweight card seems perfect, right?
But could this instead create the perfect storm? Will we regret out indulgence in what we love the most?
Probably not. This actually may be a good thing for the division. The main benefit I see is that this card, and the rest of the heavyweight fights this month, including the Strikeforce Grand Prix, puts the top 10 giants on the same schedule.
The top 10 will shift all in one month and they’ll all be ready for another one in September.
This is very similar to what occurred last year in May and June. The Strikeforce Grand Prix hosted Overeem versus Werdum which had half of the top 10 on June 18. And the UFC held multiple events in which the rest of the best heavyweights squared off all in the same month.
Although they weren’t on the exact same card, it will have the same effect.
Not only will we see a complete shift among the top 10, but we may also have an insurgence of young talent into the pool of relevant contenders.
The Strikeforce Grand Prix finale, between Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier, will take place seven days prior to the mega UFC event. I wouldn’t be surprised if Zuffa crowns the winner of this match the last Strikeforce heavyweight champion and matches him up with the UFC champion to unify the belts.
This would exemplify the benefit of having them all on the same schedule. It would also allow the promotion to hold another mega card like this in September or October if this setup proves to be successful.
Plus we can expect a lineup of devastating knockouts since some of the most ferocious fighters reside in this division. The 10 heavyweights on the UFC 146 card are collectively responsible for 52 knockouts. This number almost doubles if you include heavyweights that also fight this month.
Don’t expect problems from UFC 146. Expect excitement not only for Saturday, May 26 but also for the heavyweight division for the rest of 2012.
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