UFC Contenders, Gatekeepers, and Journeymen: The Heavyweights (Part 1)

When we look at the UFC we think of the champions. So it is only natural that when we look at the heavyweight division we automatically picture Brock Lesnar in our minds.

We should also picture the No. 1 contender Cain Valasquez. We might even picture past champions such as Randy Couture, Frank Mir, and Tim Sylvia. Casual fans are even aware of such fighters as Cheick Congo, Stefan Struve, and Ben Rothwell.

But how do we categorize these work horses of the UFC? And at what point does a future prospect transform into a contender? And when does a former champ or contender get reduced to gatekeeper?

In this edition of "UFC Contenders, Gatekeepers, and Journeymen" we will take a look at the current UFC heavyweight division's contenders and gatekeepers.  We will look at where they stand now, how they got where they are, and where they are headed.

The Contenders

Unlike previous years the heavyweight division in the UFC is in no short supply of willing and qualified contenders. The depth has increased so much that Dana White already has a contender eliminator bout set up even before the current No. 1 contender has faced off against the champ.

Cain Velasquez (8-0)

Who he has beaten: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ben Rothwell, and Cheick Kongo

Who he fights next: Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 on October 23

Criticism: Has yet to face fellow future prospect and potential contender Junior Dos Santos

The AKA contender has gone through a text book "who's who" of gatekeepers and journeymen on his way to the champ. Although Velasquez has received some criticism for not have been truly tested on his road to the title, we will all know what he's capable of come fight night at UFC 121.

Junior Dos Santos (11-1)

Who he has beaten: Gabriel Gonzaga, Mirko Cro Cop, Stefan Struve, and Fabricio Werdum

Who he fights next: Roy Nelson in a contender eliminator bout at UFC 117 on August 7

Criticism: Much like Velasquez, many feel the Black House fighter has been protected from facing another strong contender like, well, Velasquez

JDS was able to silence many critics after he easily silenced longtime gatekeeper Gabriel Gonzaga with a first round Knock Out at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones . Likewise, Werdum's upset victory over Fedor Emelianenko seems to only have raised the stake of the young Dos Santos and his rise to the top.

Roy Nelson (15-4)

Who he's beat: Stefan Struve, Brendan Schaub, and Kimbo Slice and James McSweeny in The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights

Who he fights next: Junior Dos Santos in a contender eliminator bout at UFC 117 on August 7

Criticism: Still holds no wins over notable gatekeepers and has losses to former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski, and journeyman fighter Ben Rothwell

Since entering the UFC, Big Country has been under everyone's microscope in an effort to answer the question, "can a guy who looks like this be that good?" Well so far the answer is yes, but that may all come to a halt when he faces JDS.

Nelson will try his best not to be another statistic for JDS. A win over Dos Santos will silence the critics and make him a true contender, whereas a loss would fate him to being just another journeyman.

Shane Carwin (12-1)

Who he has beaten: Frank Mir and Gabriel Gonzaga

Who he fights next: Nothing scheduled yet for the former Interim-Heavyweight Champion

Criticism: After his second-round submission loss to Brock Lesnar many have begun to question Carwin's cardio and if he can make it back to the top

Carwin should not be counted out of the running just yet as he will undoubtedly try for another crack at the title. His first round dominance of Lesnar showed he has what it takes to win. Now we just need to see him put it all together. I'd look for Carwin to face the loser of Lesnar vs. Velasquez as he climbs back up the ladder.

The Gatekeepers

In boxing gatekeeper is someone who has been unable to achieve contender status, yet are still considered well rounded fighters with skills above that of your average journeyman. For MMA we must adjust the criteria due to a high turnover rate in champions, fewer average career matches than those experienced in boxing, and the higher popularity of non-champion fighters in MMA as opposed to those in boxing.

As such, all of the UFC's gatekeepers are either former champions (UFC and Pride respectively) or contenders. Many potential gatekeepers, such as Paul Buentello, Tim Sylvia, and Andrei Arlovski have since been cut from the UFC.

As for the remaining masters of their craft, they are always one or two fights away from being contenders yet again, or allowing a future prospect to become one. They are also always one or two losses away from being reduced to journeyman status, or worse, cut from the UFC all together.

Frank Mir (13-5)

Who he has beaten: Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Cheick Kongo

Who he has lost to: Shane Carwin, Brock Lesnar, and Brandon Vera

Who he fights next: Fellow gatekeeper Minotauro Nogueira at UFC 119 on September 25

Why he's a gatekeeper: After suffering a humiliating loss to Brock Lesnar at UFC 100, Despite a submission victory over top journeyman Cheick Kongo, Mir's latest run at the title was met with opposition in the name of Shane Carwin.

Mir will look to yet again defeat Minotauro in a rematch of his UFC 92 victory. This should put him back on track to face a top contender, but don't make any bets just yet that he'll get another title shot anytime soon.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-6-1-1)

Who he has beaten: Mark Coleman, Bob Sapp, Dan Henderson, Mirko Cro Cop, Fabricio Werdum, Ricco Rodriguez, Heath Herring, Tim Sylvia, Josh Barnett, and Randy Couture

Who he has lost to: Cain Valasquez, Frank Mir, Josh Barnett, Fedor Emelianenko, and Dan Henderson

Who he fights next: Fellow gatekeeper Frank Mir at UFC 119 on September 25

Why he's a gatekeeper: Minotauro is stuck between a rock and a hard place with regard to him ever getting a title shot again. His last win was against Randy Couture, and his other most recent fights are losses against current No. 1 contender Cain Valasquez, and former champ Frank Mir.

Although Big Nog is a former Interim UFC Champion, Pride Heavyweight Champion, and Pride Heavyweight Grand Prix finalist, it is very possible his time has come and gone, and the best we can hope for now is great fights against fellow gatekeepers.

Gabriel Gonzaga (11-5)

Who he has beaten: Mirko Cro Cop and Chris Tuchscherer

Who he has lost to: Junior Dos Santos, Shane Carwin, Fabricio Werdum, and Randy Couture

Who he fights next: Nothing scheduled yet for the former heavyweight contender

Why he's a gatekeeper: This one time heavyweight contender was unable to dethrone the much smaller Randy Couture at UFC 74.  Since then he has earned a few wins over journeymen fighters, which he was heavily favored to win anyway.

Those fights served the purpose of keeping him in the green so he could later be served up to monsters like JDS and Carwin. Expect Gonzaga to string together one or two more wins before being handed over to another future prospect or contender.

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (27-7-2-1)

Who he has beaten: Heath Herring, Aleksander Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman, Wanderlei Silva, Choi Hong-man, Anthony Perosh, and Pat Berry

Who he has lost to: Junior Dos Santos, Cheick Kongo, Gabriel Gonzaga, Fedor Emelianenko, Kevin Randleman, and Minotauro Nogueira

Who he fights next: Nothing scheduled yet for the 2006 Pride Openweight Grand Prix Champion

Why he's a gatekeeper: Cro Cop made big waves when he left Pride to fight inside the Octagon, yet he was unable to live up to the hype. After winning his first fight, Cro Cop then went on to suffer back-to-back losses to Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo.

Cro Cop departed the UFC and found success in Japan before returning. Since his return he has defeated journeymen fighters such as Mostapha Al-Turk, Anthony Perosh, and Pat Berry. Unfortunately he has a blemish that was delivered by JDS.

Mirko remains a fan favorite, and despite his inability to defeat named opponents, his last two fights show he still has some fight left in him before he retires. Expect Cro Cop to get his long awaited bout with Ben Rothwell.

Honorable Mention: Randy Couture (18-10)

Randy "The Natural" Couture has defeated, and been beaten by, the who's who of UFC heavyweight fighters. Even though he has dropped back down to 205, his upcoming bout against James Toney will be at heavyweight, so he is at least worth mentioning.

While the contenders seems to be locked up for the time being, and the gate keepers don't appear to be going anywhere, no where is it written in stone that a fighter must  be content with their status. With that said, look for everyone on this list to try their best to move back up the ranks because in MMA, anything can happen.

Make sure you read "UFC Contenders, Gatekeepers, and Journeymen: The Heavyweights (Part 2)" where we will take a look at the journeymen in the division and what they are up to.

Follow Justin Alonzo-Fuller on Twitter @jalonzofuller

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