Arguably, the heavyweight division is the weakest division in the UFC right now. There have been 16 UFC events so far in 2006, and there have only been 23 heavyweight matches. Let's take a look back at all of the heavyweight matches held in the UFC in 2006, to get a better understanding of who stands where in the division. The year started out with Andrei Arlovski as UFC Heavyweight Champion.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT 3 (1/16/06)

1 - Tim Sylvia won by Unanimous Decision over Assuerio Silva.

UFC 57: LIDDELL VS. COUTURE 3 (2/4/06)

2 - Jeff Monson won by Submission over Branden Lee Hinkle.

3 - Paul Buentello won by TKO over Gilbert Aldana.

4 - Brandon Vera won by KO over Justin Eilers.

5 - Marcio Cruz won by TKO over Frank Mir.

UFC 58: USA VS. CANADA (3/4/06)

6 - Tom Murphy won by TKO over Icho Larenas.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT 4 (4/6/06)

7 - Dan Christison won by Submission over Brad Imes.

UFC 59: REALITY CHECK (4/15/06)

8 - Jeff Monson won by Split Decision over Marcio Cruz.

9 - Tim Sylvia won by TKO over Andrei Arlovski {Heavyweight Championship}.

UFC 60: HUGHES VS. GRACIE (5/27/06)

10 - Gabriel Gonzaga won by TKO over Fabiano Scherner.

11 - Brandon Vera won by Submission over Assuerio Silva.

UFC 61: BITTER RIVALS (7/8/06)

12 - Cheick Kongo won by TKO over Gilbert Aldana.

13 - Jeff Monson won by TKO over Anthony Perosh.

14 - Frank Mir won by Unanimous Decision over Dan Christison.

15 - Tim Sylvia won by Unanimous Decision over Andrei Arlovski {Heavyweight Championship}.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT 6 (8/17/06)

16- Jake O'Brien won by TKO over Christophe Midoux.

UFC 62: LIDDELL VS. SOBRAL (8/26/06)

17 - Cheick Kongo won by TKO over Christian Wellisch.

UFC 63: HUGHES VS. PENN (9/23/06)

18 - Eddie Sanchez won by KO over Mario Neto.

UFC 64: UNSTOPPABLE (10/14/06)

19 - Carmelo Marrero won by Split Decision over Cheick Kongo.

UFC 65: BAD INTENTIONS (11/18/06) [UPDATED]

20 - Jake O'Brien won by Unanimous Decision over Josh Shockman.

21 - Antoni Hardonk won by KO over Sherman Pendergarst.

22 - Brandon Vera won by TKO over Frank Mir.

23 - Tim Sylvia won by Unanimous Decision over Jeff Monson {Heavyweight Championship}.

Upcoming Events

UFC 66: LIDDELL VS. ORTIZ 2 (12/30/06)

-Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcio Cruz

-Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Carmelo Marrero

-Anthony Perosh vs. Christian Wellisch

Thoughts on the Current State of the UFC Heavyweight Division

Andrei Arlovski will be looking to get back on track against Marcio Cruz, after losing twice to Tim Sylvia this year. Arlovski could find himself on the outside looking in, if he is not able to beat Cruz. Cruz is 1-1 in the UFC in 2006, and a win over a big name like Arlovski would have him sitting pretty. A loss could be detrimental to Cruz's UFC career.

Either Gabriel Gonzaga or Carmelo Marrero will move up to 2-0 for the year and could be only one or two more wins away from a title shot.  On the other hand, either Anthony Perosh or Christian Wellish will find themselves 0-2 for the year and could be on the way out the door. 

Overall 2006 UFC Heavyweight Bout Records

Tim Sylvia (4-0) {UFC Heavyweight Champion}

Brandon Vera (3-0)

Jake O'Brien (2-0)

Paul Buentello (1-0)

Gabriel Gonzaga (1-0)

Antoni Hardonk (1-0)

Carmelo Marrero (1-0)

Tom Murphy (1-0)

Eddie Sanchez (1-0)

Jeff Monson (3-1)

Cheick Kongo (2-1)

Dan Christison (1-1)

Marcio Cruz (1-1)

Frank Mir (1-2)

Justin Eilers (0-1)

Branden Lee Hinkle (0-1)

Brad Imes (0-1)

Icho Larenas (0-1)

Christophe Midoux (0-1)

Mario Neto (0-1)

Sherman Pendergarst (0-1)

Anthony Perosh (0-1)

Fabiano Scherner (0-1)

Josh Shockman (0-1)

Christian Wellisch (0-1)

Gilbert Aldana (0-2)

Andrei Arlovski (0-2)

Assuerio Silva (0-2)

A List of 2006 UFC Light Heavyweight Division Matches and Records

A List of 2006 UFC Middleweight Division Matches and Records

A List of 2006 UFC Welterweight Division Matches and Records

A List of 2006 UFC Lightweight Division Matches and Records

Have a nice day!

Comments, questions, concerns and the like can be e-mailed to randyrowles@mmatorch.com.