I stand by that you can’t be considered “the best heavyweight” as a disputed LHW champion by beating one guy who was defeated by the last champion. I’ll tack on that with Gane and Pavlovitch having such a different challenge with Tai (knockout and Tai’s quick turnaround is a factor), there is a fair case that Pavlovitch is a greater threat to Gane than Jones. Or Blades based on the wrestling.

I’m not saying this as a criticism of the division, but with Ngannou gone as a dominant champ, I don’t feel like anyone is “the greatest” until they answer other questions of the division like Ngannou did.

I will feel like it’s a HW tournament until Stipe and Gane are beaten or retired. That’s not counting Blaydes and the prospects of Aspinal (injury sucks) and Pavlovitch.