Despite A Great Year For MMA, 2013 Had More Lows Than Highs For The UFC Heavyweight Division

For fight fans 2013 has been one of the most exciting years in MMA with the UFC celebrating its 20th Anniversary and putting on some of the best Octagon action we have ever witnessed.

A close inspection of the heavyweight division’s roster however, reveals more disappointments in 2013 than celebrations. Injuries, suspensions, controversies and the devastating loss of Shane Del Rosario capped off a very difficult year for the division.  

We now take a look back at some of the events that unfolded in 2013.  We also ask for your opinions on what fights you would like to see scheduled for the division in 2014?

Josh Barnett started the year impressively with a quick KO over Frank Mir, but finished the year with a facial fracture and KO loss courtesy of Travis Browne.

Pat Barry had a devastating 2013 with two straight KO losses to Shawn Jordan and then Soa Palelei.

Junior Dos Santos last fought in October suffering a TKO loss to Velasquez, but managed to get one spectacular KO over Mark Hunt in May. His next opponent is yet to be announced.

Cain Velasquez finishes the year under the knife with a torn Labrum on left shoulder with a mid 2014 expected return date. Despite the injury it was a great year for Velasquez, who also destroyed Bigfoot Silva in the first round at UFC 160.

Travis Browne terrifies the heavyweight division with three consecutive KO’s in 2013, first to Gabriel Gonzaga, then Alistair Overeem, and finally Josh Barnett.

Mark Hunt finishes the year on a high and $50,000 richer courtesy of Bigfoot Silva who failed his post fight drug test and was forced to sacrifice his bonus.  It was a difficult year for Hunt, who suffered a KO loss to Junior Dos Santos. Hunt also suffered a nasty Staph infection that left a gaping hole in his leg, and a badly broken hand after the Bigfoot fight. Don’t expect to see Hunt before mid 2014.

Bigfoot Silva participated in two of the most talked about fights in 2013. Bigfoot spectacularly knocked out Alistair Overeem in February, then took a devastating KO loss to Cain in May, then Bigfoot returned with fire putting on one of the greatest heavyweight fights with Mark Hunt to cap off the year. Unfortunately for Bigfoot Silva, one too many shots of testosterone left him on the sidelines suspended for nine months and with a huge hole in his wallet.

Frank Mir is riding three straight losses and fought twice in 2013.  Frank returns in February to take on Alistair Overeem.

Daniel Cormier left the heavyweight division and now looks set to fight Rashad Evans at light heavyweight. Daniel took out two unanimous decision victories over Frank Mir and Roy Nelson in 2013.

The “Reem” blasted on the scene sending Brock Lesnar packing in 2011, but found himself the victim of two knockouts at the hands of Bigfoot Silva and Travis Browne in 2013 after an embarrassing suspension.

Roy Nelson sent Cheick Kongo packing after a KO victory in April 2013 but could not keep up the momentum losing two unanimous decisions to Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier.

Ben Rothwell was his own worst enemy in 2013 testing positive to elevated testosterone. Ben received a nine-month suspension and will be sidelined until mid 2014. 

Brandon Vera is a guy that cannot seem to get a break. It’s not the first time Brandon Vera has been the test dummy for an opponent on the juice. 2013 will be a year that Brandon will want to put behind him. He only fought once in 2013.

Stefan Struve suffered a devastating loss to Mark Hunt in March 2013, breaking his jaw. Stefan was then diagnosed with a leaking Aortic valve and his return to fighting is still pending doctor clearance.  Hopefully we will see Stefan compete healthy in late 2014.

Fabricio Werdum only fought once in 2013 defeating Big Nog by submission.  A great win to put on the resume.

Minotauro Nogueira did not find any success in 2013 losing a submission to Werdum in June.

Brendan Schaub had a solid year as he put together two straight wins against Lavar Johnson and Matt Mitrione.

Soa Palelei added two KO victories in 2013, first against Nikita Krylov and then against Pat Barry.

Gabriel Gonzaga got off to a rocky start in 2013 losing by KO in April to Travis Browne. In July the old Gonzaga was back knocking out Dave Herman in round 1 and then Gonzaga followed up this amazing performance with another round 1 KO to Shawn Jordan in October.

Stipe Miocic only fought once in 2013 using Big Country as a punching bag in a unanimous decision victory. His record stands at 10-1-0.

Matt Mitrione fought twice in 2013 starting the year on a high with a KO over Phil de Fries only to finish the year with a submission loss to Brendan Schaub.