Bantamweight
1. Dominick Cruz (21-1)
Two years after being stripped of his UFC bantamweight title, Cruz returned to claim the belt he never lost. “The Dominator” looked as though he never lost a step in his Jan. 17 encounter with T.J. Dillashaw, using his flashy footwork and lightning counterstrikes to earn a split decision after five rounds. Cruz has now won 12 straight and has not lost since a 2007 featherweight defeat to Urijah Faber, whom he will meet again at UFC 199.2. T.J. Dillashaw (12-3)
Dillashaw’s reign as undisputed bantamweight champion ended on Jan. 17 in Boston, where he was outpointed across five rounds by Dominick Cruz, despite a late push from the Duane Ludwig pupil. The defeat marked Dillashaw’s first “L” since October 2013, when he dropped a contentious split decision against Raphael Assuncao. The former champ will rematch Assuncao at UFC 200 on July 9.3. Renan Barao (33-3, 1 NC)
One fight removed from his shocking title loss, Barao attempted to reclaim the UFC bantamweight belt from T.J. Dillashaw on July 25 in Chicago. The Brazilian fared no better in the rematch, as Dillashaw’s speedy and precise striking caused Barao to fade before the championship rounds and ultimately succumb to punishment in the fourth frame. The Nova Uniao product will test the waters at 145 pounds in a May 29 meeting with hard-hitting vet Jeremy Stephens.4. Urijah Faber (33-8)
Following a May loss to Frankie Edgar at featherweight, Faber returned to 135 pounds and picked up a hard-fought decision over Frankie Saenz at UFC 194. “The California Kid” made clear his desire for another shot at the UFC bantamweight title, and he will get his wish in another rematch with champion Dominick Cruz at UFC 199.5. Aljamain Sterling (12-0)
Sterling showed why he is one of the 135-pound division’s hottest prospects by strangling tough Brazilian veteran Johnny Eduardo on Dec. 10 in Las Vegas, his third straight finish inside the Octagon. “The Funk Master” briefly tested the waters of free agency before announcing in February that he had inked a new multi-fight deal with the UFC. Sterling will be back in the cage on May 29, when he faces Bryan Caraway at a UFC Fight Night event.6. Marlon Moraes (16-4-1)
Moraes improved to a perfect 9-0 inside the World Series of Fighting cage with a Feb. 20 smashing of Joseph Barajas which lasted only 73 seconds. The Brazilian champ may have slim pickings when it comes to opposition in the WSOF bantamweight division, but Moraes continues to take out every challenger placed before him.7. Takeya Mizugaki (21-9-2)
Following the first back-to-back losses of his Zuffa career, Mizugaki on Sept. 27 scored a much-needed win before a partisan crowd in Saitama, Japan. It did not come easy, but the former World Extreme Cagefighting contender outworked 6-foot-1 George Roop to snatch a unanimous decision in a clinch-filled three-rounder.8. Thomas Almeida (20-0)
The hottest prospect in the 135-pound division continues to churn out thrilling performances with each Octagon appearance. On Nov. 7, it was Anthony Birchak who fell victim to Almeida’s devastating striking -- namely, a vicious right cross late in the first round. The unbeaten Brazilian has recorded knockouts in three of his four UFC outings and has stopped 19 of 20 opponents in his career. Almeida will put his perfect record on the line against Cody Garbrandt in a UFC Fight Night headliner on May 29.9. Jimmie Rivera (19-1)
Rivera on Jan. 30 collected his biggest scalp yet when he outworked crafty Brazilian vet Iuri Alcantara to claim a three-round unanimous decision. The victory extended the New Jerseyan’s impressive winning streak to 18 straight, including three in a row since joining the UFC in July.10. Frankie Saenz (11-3)
Saenz was game enough to overcome a near-knockout in round two of his UFC 194 bout with Urijah Faber, but he could not put away “The California Kid” down the stretch and ultimately dropped a unanimous decision. The defeat snapped a seven-fight winning streak which had seen Saenz best the likes of Iuri Alcantara and Sirwan Kakai. He will step back into the cage at UFC on Fox 20 in July, when he takes on former WEC champion Eddie Wineland.Other Contenders: Iuri Alcantara, Darrion Caldwell, Bryan Caraway, Rob Font, Marcos Galvao.
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