Joe Rogan has frequently shared his thoughts on the UFC heavyweight division, often highlighting concerns from seasoned commentators about how limited the talent pool seems to be. Rogan believes there aren’t enough contenders to challenge current UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall effectively. Recently, the 58-year-old commentator pondered how legendary fighters from the past would perform against today’s competitors.
Rogan specifically mentioned three retired heavyweights he thinks would thrive if they fought in 2026. Tank Abbott, a fan-favorite knockout artist from the 1990s, retired in April 2013 with a modest record of 10 wins and 15 losses. Although Abbott wasn’t dominant in his era, Rogan is convinced he would “do really well” in the current division. More than three decades after Abbott’s prime, the UFC heavyweight landscape hasn’t evolved as expected, which is why Rogan argues Abbott could still compete today.
On a recent podcast episode, Rogan said, “I think Tank Abbott is going to do really well because heavyweight is the shallowest division.” While Abbott might not have succeeded against top fighters like Cyril Gane or Tom Aspinall, Rogan points out he also struggled against the top strikers of his own era, such as Maurice Smith. However, Abbott’s key attributes were his enormous size, raw power, and brawling style. Rogan compared him to Derrick Lewis, who holds the record for most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history despite not being the most technically skilled fighter, showing that power and size remain critical assets in the division.
According to Rogan, Abbott could give trouble to many of today’s lower-tier heavyweights. Additionally, he named two other heavyweight legends — Dan Severn, an elite wrestler known for his ability to dominate opponents, and Mark Coleman, a dominant wrestler and powerful puncher — who would also pose significant challenges to current fighters. Rogan emphasized that the combination of strong wrestling and knockout power is a timeless formula for success in the heavyweight class.
Fan Take: This perspective from Joe Rogan highlights an ongoing debate about the evolution, or lack thereof, in the UFC heavyweight division. For fight fans, it’s a call to appreciate the historical greats and a reminder of the potential impact that blending old-school toughness and modern technique could have in revitalizing the heavyweight roster.
