Dana White says UFC heavyweight division is rising after years of going 'a little stale'

UFC president Dana White declared the heavyweight division is on an upward trajectory at the UFC Sacramento post-fight press conference, citing a deliberate effort by the promotion to inject fresh talent into a division that had lost momentum in recent years.

The heavyweight roster has faced a difficult stretch: a shortage of promising newcomers, established veterans aging out of contention, and undisputed champion Tom Aspinall sidelined since October after eye injuries sustained in his no-contest fight with Ciryl Gane. That combination left the division treading water at the top and thin in the middle.

“We agree,” White said when asked whether the heavyweight roster was improving. “We’ve got a lot of divisions that are shaking up right now and getting fun. The boys have been working hard on a few of the different divisions that we thought were a little stale, I’ll say.”

Saturday’s UFC Sacramento card featured three heavyweight bouts that offered reasons for optimism. Vitor Petrino moved to 4-0 in the division after his win over Serghei Spivac, establishing himself as a legitimate top-10 contender having moved up from light heavyweight. Shamil Gaziev delivered one of the night’s best knockouts, needing a single punch to finish Kennedy Nzechuwku.

The most striking story, however, belonged to Anthony Wint. The former professional football player submitted Terrance Chatman in the first round to improve to 8-0 as a professional — and he did it just 11 days after earning his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

“Eleven days,” White said. “I love guys that — if you look at what the Contender Series has done for the UFC, and for the business, and when you have these guys who come in and make a big impact and then want to turn right around and fight. Look at Khamzat Chimaev on Fight Island — he’s like, ‘I want to fight again next weekend.’ Tell me you want to fight again next weekend, you’re fighting next weekend. I love it and it’s the right thing to do.”

White argued the logic is straightforward for fighters willing to stay active. “More people know who you are, your name gets out there faster, more people are talking about you on Sunday and Monday and you make more money. I mean, it’s a no-brainer. I’d love to see more guys do it.”

Alongside Wint, names such as Josh Hokit, Valter Walker, Rizvan Kuniev, and NCAA wrestling standout Gable Steveson have drawn attention as part of the emerging heavyweight class White believes can restore the division’s marquee status.