The role of title contender is a coveted one in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, especially in the heavyweight division. That weight class is widely considered to have the least amount of depth in the entire sport. Stefan Struve’s return to active competition at UFC 175 could have ramifications for the division in terms of who can position himself as an eventual title challenger for UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez. With a victory, Struve has a great opportunity to insert his name onto the very short list of fighters who are “in the mix” at heavyweight.
Struve is one of the more interesting fighters on the UFC’s roster for a number of reasons. At seven feet he’s the tallest individual on the promotion’s roster. In the five years that he’s competed in the Octagon, the 26-year-old athlete has shown a steady level of improvement. He’s also become known as a fighter that will either finish his opponent or be finished in brutal fashion. In his 13 UFC bouts since 2009, 12 have ended before the full fifteen minutes were over. This has caused “the Skyscraper” to be a fan favorite who will either end the fight in highlight reel fashion or end up on his opponent’s clip of knockouts. In MMA’s current landscape, this is a key ingredient for the creation of stars.
Struve also has a “heartwarming” story to go along with what he brings to the cage, as in 2013, he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition. He had a leaking aortic valve and an enlarged heart, which forced him out of action for the remainder of the year. Struve chose to forego the career-ending surgery he needed to correct the problem, however, and in April, he announced through his manager Lex McMahon that he was able to return to training. Now, having received clearance to return to competition, Matt Mitrione awaits him in the Octagon at UFC 175.
Struve is returning to the heavyweight division at the right time. Velasquez has solidified himself as the number one man in the division, but the rest of the weight class is wide open. Fabrico Werdum is next in line for the champion at UFC 180 after the two coach against each other on The Ultimate Fighter. Travis Browne, Mark Hunt, Junior dos Santos, and Josh Barnett have all been shifted around, but are out of the immediate title picture. Stipe Miocic seems to be making a run towards the title, but Struve knocked him out back at UFC on Fuel TV 5, which leaves just enough room for Struve to slide in and leapfrog him with an impressive win. Another big knockout by Struve will get the fans behind him at just the right point in time.
To become a star in mixed martial arts, it takes the right combination of skill, spectacle, and timing. Stefan Struve has already shown the skill and the spectacle of big finishes. And UFC 175 offers him just the right timing to secure himself a spot in the heavyweight “mix” when it matters the most.
• Stefan Struve vs Matt Mitrione
Click the stars to rate your anticipation for this fight.
**********
UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida is due to take place on July 5, 2014 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC 175 will be.
