Bantamweight
1. Cody Garbrandt (11-0)
“The Ultimate Fighter” Season 25 was hung on the anticipated showdown between former Team Alpha Male training partners Garbrandt and T.J. Dillashaw; unfortunately, a back injury forced Garbrandt from their slated UFC 213 bout in July. Given their respective statures and unique history, it was a no-brainer that the UFC would repackage the fight: “No Love” is scheduled to make the first defense of his UFC bantamweight title against Dillashaw at UFC 217 on Nov. 4 at Madison Square Garden.2. Dominick Cruz (22-2)
When Cody Garbrandt-T.J. Dillashaw was announced, it seemed only natural that Cruz, a two-time UFC bantamweight champion, would be put in position to challenge the victor. Of course, “The Dominator” was not going to sit around for a year and be gifted a title shot, so an eliminator of sorts would be necessary. We have that now, and it is a good one: Cruz will face 21-1 Jimmie Rivera at UFC 219 on Dec. 30, with a UFC bantamweight title shot hanging in the balance.3. T.J. Dillashaw (14-3)
Dillashaw was supposed to get his chance to regain the bantamweight title in a bout with former Team Alpha Male compatriot Cody Garbrandt at UFC 213 in July. Instead, the “The Ultimate Fighter 25”-capping fight was postponed by a Garbrandt back injury. Even so, their engrossing rivalry cannot be replicated, so the UFC was keen to remake it as soon as possible. Dillashaw will get his shot at his former teammate at UFC 217 on Nov. 4 at Madison Square Garden.4. Raphael Assuncao (25-5)
Though the split decision was a contentious one, Assuncao's win over former World Series of Fighting champion Marlon Moraes in June moved him to 9-1 as a bantamweight, all in the UFC. His only loss at 135 pounds is to former T.J. Dillashaw, an opponent over whom he also owns a victory. However, Assuncao is maybe MMA's most forgotten man and an opponent no bantamweight wants to face, so how he has been booked next time out comes as no surprise. Assuncao will meet little-known prospect Matthew Lopez at UFC Fight Night 120 on Nov. 11 in Norfolk, Virginia.5. Jimmie Rivera (21-1)
Rivera has won 20 straight pro MMA bouts -- his tear dates back nearly nine years -- and owns a perfect 5-0 mark in the Octagon. Suffice to say, “El Terror” has earned a big fight, one with UFC title implications. He will get one at UFC 219 on Dec. 30, when he has a date with the man he called out back in July: two-time champion Dominick Cruz.6. Marlon Moraes (18-5-1)
Moraes’ much-anticipated UFC debut in June did not go as expected, as he dropped a razor-thin split decision to veteran Raphael Assuncao in a bout most felt the Octagon newcomer won. Things are not going to get any easier for the former World Series of Fighting champion in his second UFC start, but it should still result in an action-packed affair, as Moraes has signed on to face the similarly nicknamed John Dodson at UFC Fight Night 120 on Nov. 11 in Norfolk, Virginia.7. Bryan Caraway (21-7)
Following back-to-back decision wins over Eddie Wineland and the previously undefeated Aljamain Sterling, Caraway was in a plum position -- he was lined up to face red-hot contender Jimmie Rivera -- when 2017 began. Unfortunately, Caraway suffered an undisclosed injury and spent most of the year on the sideline. Now, Rivera is off to have a virtual title eliminator against former two-time UFC champ Dominick Cruz, while Caraway has accepted a risky fight with once-beaten prospect Luke Sanders at UFC Fight Night 123 on Dec. 9.8. John Lineker (30-8)
Lineker sustained a broken jaw in his decision loss to former UFC champ T.J. Dillashaw in December, the injury sidelining him for most of 2017. Thankfully for MMA fans and violence lovers, Lineker returned to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 119 in Sao Paulo on Oct. 28, hammering out a unanimous verdict over the much improved Marlon Vera. “Hands of Stone” is now 5-1 in his last six Octagon appearances.9. Thomas Almeida (22-2)
After starting his MMA career 21-0, Almeida has dropped two of his last three bouts inside the UFC. It is hardly a cause for despair, however, as those defeats came against current UFC champion Cody Garbrandt and emerging elite contender Jimmie Rivera. More than that, “Thominhas” remains one of the most exciting young fighters the sport has to offer.10. Darrion Caldwell (11-1)
Caldwell is no longer just an NCAA Division I national wrestling champion; he is a serious MMA champ, too. At Bellator 184 on Oct. 6, “The Wolf” used his wrestling and sublime suplexing skills to stymie Eduardo Dantas for five rounds and take the Bellator 135-pound title. It is possible his first title defense will come against another Brazilian, Leandro Higo. He defeated the only man to ever beat Caldwell, “Baby” Joe Taimanglo, as part of the Bellator 184 main card.Other Contenders: Eduardo Dantas, John Dodson, Shintaro Ishiwatari, Pedro Munhoz, Aljamain Sterling.
Continue Reading » Flyweight