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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 (20-3) [2]
Sterling became the seventh bantamweight champion in promotion history at UFC 259, but it wasn’t a satisfying victory for “The Funk Master.” After three competitive rounds, Sterling was rendered unable to continue in the fourth frame when Petr Yan landed an illegal knee. Sterling’s reaction in the aftermath said it all, as he dropped the belt on the Octagon floor before the leaving the cage. Given the nature of the ending, a rematch with Yan seems all but inevitable, but it won’t take place until later this year after Sterling recovers from neck surgery.3. Petr Yan (15-2) [3]
Though the early rounds were competitive, Yan appeared to be on his way to taking control of his bantamweight title defense against Aljamain Sterling. That all changed in Round 4, when Yan landed an illegal knee that left his opponent writhing on the mat in agony. With Sterling unable to continue, the bout was declared a disqualification and Yan was forced to relinquish the bout. The good news for the Russian is that a rematch with Sterling seems like a virtual certainty.4. Cory Sandhagen (14-2) [4]
Sandhagen made an early bid for 2021 “Knockout of the Year” when he authored a walkoff finish of Frankie Edgar with a flying knee just 28 seconds into Round 1 of the UFC Fight Night 184 co-main event encounter at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The Elevation Fight Team product has displayed a penchant for the spectacular of late: Sandhagen was coming off a spinning-wheel kick KO of Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Night 179 this past October. With Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling in line for a rematch, Sandhagen was supposed to welcome T.J. Dillashaw back to the Octagon on May 8, but the UFC on ESPN 24 headliner was postponed when the ex-champ suffered a cut in training.5. Frankie Edgar (24-9-1) [5]
Edgar’s bantamweight foray had a promising beginning, as he took a split decision triumph over Pedro Munhoz in the UFC on ESPN 15 main event. However, the narrative shifted in his second 135-pound appearance, when he suffered a flying knee KO loss to Cory Sandhagen in the UFC Fight Night 184 co-main event. The 39-year-old former lightweight champion has now suffered three knockout losses in his last six UFC appearances.6. Pedro Munhoz (19-5, 1 NC) [6]
Munhoz gained a measure of revenge at UFC Fight Night 186, where he captured an entertaining three-round verdict against Jimmie Rivera on Feb. 27. Not only did the Brazilian snap a two-bout skid in the “Fight of the Night-“winning contest, but he avenged a split-decision loss to Rivera that occurred in a 2015 clash. “The Young Punisher” remains one of the bantamweight division’s unsung talents, with eight wins in 11 outings dating back to 2016..7. Rob Font (18-4) [7]
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. Font will get another high-profile booking next, when he meets former title holder Cody Garbrandt in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on May 22.8. Marlon Moraes (23-8-1) [8]
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) [9]
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. Now, the Team Alpha Male standout will remain at bantamweight to face Rob Font in a headlining bout on May 22.10. Raphael Assuncao (27-8) [10]
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 was supposed return to face the surging Raoni Barcelos on Feb. 27, but a positive COVID-19 test removed the veteran from that bout. Instead, Assuncao will collide with Kyler Phillips at a UFC event on July 24.Other Contenders: Jose Aldo, Jimmie Rivera, Kyoji Horiguchi, Adriano Moraes, Merab Dvalishvili.
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