Ben Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration
Bantamweight
1. T.J. Dillashaw (16-3)
Nothing quite slams the door on a rivalry like back-to-back knockouts. Dillashaw did just that in the UFC 227 headliner with his second finish in as many outings against former Team Alpha Male training partner Cody Garbrandt. The Duane Ludwig protege has won eight of his last nine fights in the Octagon and is securely in the Greatest of All-Time discussion for his division. Still, Dominick Cruz, the last man to defeat him, looms large as a potential opponent.2. Cody Garbrandt (11-2)
Once fast-tracked to the top of the bantamweight division as one of the promotion’s favored stars, Garbrandt likely will not sniff another title shot as long as T.J. Dillashaw holds the belt. That, of course, is a product of back-to-back knockout losses to his rival, the most recent coming in the opening stanza at UFC 227. It is nonetheless important to remember that the 27-year-old “No Love” began his career with 11 consecutive triumphs and still has plenty of interesting matchups to consider in the Octagon, whether they involve a title or not.3. Raphael Assuncao (27-5)
Assuncao just keeps winning. Whether that nets him a bantamweight title shot remains to be seen. The 35-year-old Brazilian tasted victory for the 11th time in 12 Octagon appearances at UFC 226, where he captured a unanimous verdict over Rob Font. Assuncao’s run includes a victory over reigning 135-pound king T.J. Dillashaw, so he still has a legitimate claim to the No. 1 contender’s spot in the division.4. Marlon Moraes (21-5-1)
Moraes made an emphatic case to become the bantamweight division’s No. 1 contender in waiting with his 33-second knockout of Jimmie Rivera at UFC Fight Night 131 in Utica, New York. The former World Series of Fighting champion has won 16 of his last 17 bouts, and his only defeat during that time was a contentious split decision setback against Raphael Assuncao at UFC 212. Depending on the status of Dominick Cruz, Moraes could be in line to face T.J. Dillashaw for the undisputed bantamweight championship.5. Jimmie Rivera (22-2)
It definitely wasn’t one for the record books, but coming off a brutal head-kick KO loss to Marlon Moraes, Rivera will take a victory any way he can get it. The Team Tiger Schulmann representative returned to the win column at UFC 228 with a nondescript decision triumph over former flyweight title challenger John Dodson. Regardless of the nature of the win, Rivera has won six of seven in the Octagon and remains one of the top talents in the division.6. John Lineker (31-8)
Lineker was in prime form against Brian Kelleher at UFC 224, where he eventually put away his American counterpart with a brutal left hook 3:43 into the third frame of their featured encounter. “Hands of Stone” has won eight of his last nine inside the Octagon, with his only defeat during that time coming at the hands of reigning 135-pound king T.J. Dillashaw. The heavy-handed Brazilian figures to be in line for a highly ranked opponent in his next appearance.7. Darrion Caldwell (12-1)
Bellator’s reigning bantamweight king made a successful return to the featherweight division at Bellator 204, where he stopped UFC vet Noad Lahat with ground-and-pound 2:46 into the second round of their headlining encounter. The next move for “The Wolf” should prove interesting: He has a budding feud with 145-pound champion Patricio Freire but also has obligations to defend his belt at 135 pounds. After besting Lahat, however, Caldwell seems intent on hunting for featherweight gold.8. Kyoji Horiguchi (25-2)
It was business as usual for Horiguchi at Rizin Fighting Federation 11, as the former UFC title challenger outpointed Hiromasa Ogikubo in a 132-pound contest to run his winning streak to 10 fights. Pound-for-pound great and reigning UFC flyweight king Demetrious Johnson is the only man to best the Japanese standout in his last 20 professional appearances. Horiguchi’s last seven triumphs have come under the Rizin Fighting Federation banner. While it didn’t affect his MMA record, Horiguchi gave a game performance but came up short in his pro kickboxing debut, falling to Tenshin Nasukawa via decision in the Rizin 13 headliner.9. Aljamain Sterling (16-3)
After entering the UFC as a red-hot prospect, Sterling had become something of a forgotten commodity of late. The “Funk Master” reminded the division that he remains a dangerous presence at UFC 228 with a wicked kneebar finish of Cody Stamann, who had been victorious in his first three Octagon appearances. Sterling has bounced back nicely from a 67-second knockout loss to Marlon Moraes this past December and has won four of his last five promotional appearances.10. John Dodson (20-10)
Dodson was content to let Jimmie Rivera lead in their UFC 228 encounter, and ultimately it cost him, as he dropped a lackluster decision to “El Terror.” The Jackson-Wink MMA stalwart has seen mixed results since moving to bantamweight, posting a 3-3 mark following an extended run as a 125-pound contender.Other Contenders: Manny Bermudez, Cody Stamann, Bryan Caraway, Pedro Munhoz, Alejandro Perez.
Continue Reading » Flyweight