Only four of 17 UFC heavyweight champions defended more than once
“I think heavyweight is the most dangerous division. There’s too much power involved. When you get punched by a heavyweight,…
“I think heavyweight is the most dangerous division. There’s too much power involved. When you get punched by a heavyweight, you are in trouble. That’s why I think it’s so hard to keep the title.”
Junior dos Santos
UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is unequivocal in the belief that Saturday’s title defense in Las Vegas against Frank Mir will be his first of many.
History, however, suggests otherwise.
Since its inception in 1997, UFC’s heavyweight strap, the promotion’s longest-running championship, has passed between fighters with alarming regularity. Of the 17 men to grab hold of the title (including interim belts) only four — Randy Couture, Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia and Brock Lesnar — have defended it more than once.
Their best streak? Two straight.
Frank Mir, the 32-year-old challenger — a two-time titleholder who relinquished the belt each time sans a defense — is of the opinion that a similar fate awaits the Brazilian slugger.
And history is on his side.
But then again, dos Santos could be cut from a different cloth.
“I really believe I can keep this belt for a long, long time,” said the current titleholder. “My dream was to become champion and now I’m champion. Now I want to break records. I want to keep this belt for a long, long time and be part of the history of the heavyweights.”