AT one point in time, the UFC’s heavyweight division was arguably the promotion’s best.

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the weight class boasted some truly iconic and legendary fighters.

Cain Velasquez was in his prime, Junior dos Santos was a systemic force and Fabricio Werdum was submitting people for fun.

The division also boasted the legendary Mark Hunt, as well as fan favourites Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem.

The weight class now just boasts 49 FIGHTERS, which is a microcosm of the issues facing heavyweight MMA in general.

It also has a quality issue, with many fighters showcasing arguably worse skill sets than those who came before them.

Calls for the division to be “nuked” have been rife for the last few years and grew louder after Tom Aspinall vacated his belt following a setback in his recovery from multiple eye surgeries.

But former champion Stipe Miocic doesn’t believe the situation is as bleak as fans have painted it.

In an exclusive interview with SunSport via Casino.org, Miocic said: “I don’t know about that. I think there’s just a lot going on.

“Back in my time, we used to fight a lot more. We used to fight with injuries and stuff like that.

“I think people miss that, but I believe that fighting mentality is going to come back. It’s the heavyweight division.

“All those big boys have a lot of fight in them because anything can happen. That’s why they fight.

“One guy could be getting his butt kicked for the last three rounds or for the first two-and-a-half minutes, and then he’ll just hit his opponent with a big right hand and down he goes.

“I’ve seen it with multiple fighters, it’s crazy. It’s a tough division.”

Miocic believes the current sentiment surrounding the division stems from a lack of consistency since Francis Ngannou set aside the belt to pursue boxing,

He continued: “People might think it’s not like that right now, but I think the main reason why people aren’t happy with the heavyweight division right now is because there’s not really a decisive champ.

“There’s not someone that’s winning it all. I think it hasn’t helped with Tom vacating his title and then Gane getting it.”

Miocic’s former strap, which he defended three times, will be up for grabs this weekend in the main event of UFC 334 in New York City.

Ciryl Gane will make his first defence of the belt since being bumped up from interim to undisputed champion following Aspinall’s vacation of the belt against Josh Hokit.

Barring any sort of serious injury or bizarre outcome, the division, even without Aspinall in its midst, should start progressing again.

And Miocic reckons his former stomping ground’s detractors will fall silent if there is a consistent run of drama-free title fights.

He said: “Gane’s gonna fight for it again. I think there’s just a lot for people to wrap their heads around.

“It’s not as straightforward as it should be. I still think the heavyweight division is good.

“Tom was the champ and then he had to vacate because of his eye, but I think it’s fallen into limbo since then.

“Everyone was just chilling because nothing was happening.”

“But I think it’s going to start picking up again and everyone will be back to being invested.

“I think once the heavyweight championship starts and 2 guys are fighting for the belt, I think it’s gonna change.

“I think it’s gonna be back to normal again because you haven’t seen it, there hasn’t been a title fight in a while.

“I think people will start getting revved up again and be excited and just go right back to how it was.”