Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Bantamweight
1. Henry Cejudo (17-2) [1]
Cejudo became only the second fighter in promotion history to successfully defend titles in two divisions at UFC 249 when he defeated Dominick Cruz via second-round technical knockout in the evening’s co-main event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. After the victory, the Olympic gold medalist made a surprising retirement announcement, citing a desire to start a family. Retirements often don’t last in MMA, but if it holds up, “Triple C” ends his career with a six-fight winning streak that includes triumphs over Demetrious Johnson, T.J. Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes and Cruz.2. Aljamain Sterling (19-3) [2]
After a first-round submission of Top 5 competitor Cory Sandhagen at UFC 250, “Funk Master” established himself as the bantamweight division’s No. 1 contender in waiting. Sterling, with five consecutive 135-pound triumphs under his belt, will was supposed to square off against recently-crowned champion Petr Yan at UFC 256 on Dec. 12 but that bout was postponed due to personal issues for the reigning title holder.3. Cory Sandhagen (13-2) [3]
Sandhagen rebounded from a first-round submission loss to Aljamain Sterling in emphatic fashion at UFC Fight Night 179, where he knocked out Marlon Moraes with a spinning wheel kick in the second round of their bantamweight headliner in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 10. The highlight-reel finish keeps the Elevation Fight Team product in the title conversation at 135 pounds as he prepares for a showdown against Frankie Edgar on Feb. 6.4. Petr Yan (15-1) [4]
After a competitive opening 15 minutes, Yan imposed his will down the stretch against Jose Aldo at UFC 251, forcing a stoppage behind a brutal barrage of ground-and-pound in the fifth frame. The newly-crowned bantamweight king has won his first six UFC appearances in increasingly impressive fashion. Yan was slated to defend his title against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 256 but withdrew from the bout due to a litany of issues. The fight is expected to be rescheduled early in 2021.5. Frankie Edgar (24-8-1) [6]
After years of contending at both lightweight and featherweight in the UFC, Edgar has swiftly established himself as a person of interest at bantamweight, as well. In typical gritty fashion, Edgar edged Pedro Munhoz via split-decision in his 135-pound debut at UFC on ESPN 15 on Aug. 22. While the scorecards might have been debatable, Edgar’s ability to remain competitive throughout the contest was not. Next, Edgar will square off against fellow contender Cory Sandhagen on Feb. 6.6. Pedro Munhoz (18-5, 1 NC) [7]
Munhoz stalked and outlanded Frankie Edgar for the majority of their five-round clash at UFC on ESPN 15, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges, as “Young Punisher” dropped a split-decision in the headlining bantamweight bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. While Munhoz felt that he did enough to win, that makes two straight defeats for the 33-year-old American Top Team representative, who was coming off a decision loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 238. Munhoz will look to rebound in a rematch against Jimmie Rivera on Jan. 30.7. Rob Font (18-4) [NR]
After more than a year on the sidelines due to a knee injury, Font sent a message to the bantamweight division at UFC Fight Night 183, where he defeated former title challenger Marlon Moraes via second-round technical knockout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Dec. 19. The 33-year-old Team Sityodtong member, who had Moraes outgunned on the feet, has now won three consecutive fights in UFC competition and owns six finishes in the Octagon.8. Marlon Moraes (23-8-1) [5]
Moraes came out with a different type of game plan against Rob Font, and for part of the first round, it worked. The former World Series of Fighting Champion grounded his foe for the first half of Round 1, but once the action returned to the feet it was all Font, who emerged with a technical knockout victory at the 3:47 mark of Round 1. Moraes has lost three of his last four UFC bouts — all by KO or TKO — and appears to be a step below the top contenders in the bantamweight division at this point in his career.9. Cody Garbrandt (12-3) [8]
Garbrandt appears to be rejuvenated following a second-round knockout of Raphael Assuncao in the UFC co-main event on June 6. Not only did Garbrandt’s vicious right-hook finish likely end up on a lot of year-end KO lists, but it halted a three-bout skid in which “No Love” repeatedly fell victim to his brawling tendencies. Garbrandt was slated for a title shot at 125 pounds against Deiveson Figueiredo before a torn bicep forced him out of the contest.10. Raphael Assuncao (27-8) [9]
Assuncao took the bait and paid dearly against Cody Garbrandt, falling victim to a brutal right hook counter just before the second-round horn in their co-headlining encounter at UFC 250 on June 6. Once the bantamweight division’s most unsung contender, the 37-year-old Brazilian has dropped his last three fights within the Las Vegas-based promotion. Assuncao will return to face the surging Raoni Barcelos on Feb. 27.Other Contenders: Jose Aldo, Jimmie Rivera, Manel Kape, Kai Asakura, Kyoji Horiguchi.
Continue Reading » Flyweight