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Bantamweight
1. Aljamain Sterling (21-3) | UFC [1]
Sterling removed the asterisk from his championship reign at UFC 273, as he relied on his wrestling and grappling to capture a hard-fought split decision triumph against Petr Yan in the evening’s co-main event at Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., on April 9. The victory helps eliminate some of the bad taste of the disqualification victory that initially allowed “Funk Master” to claim 135-pound gold at UFC 259 in March 2021 and allows Sterling to put his rivalry with Yan in the rearview mirror — at least for now. Sterling will carry a seven-bout winning streak into his next assignment, which is rumored to be a showdown with former title holder T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 279. However, Sterling is seeking additional financial incentives from the promotion before he signs the contract.2. Petr Yan (16-3) | UFC [2]
Yan elected to face Sterling on his terms in the UFC 273 co-main event, and while the Russian’s takedown defense proved to be stout, the “Funk Master” exposed just enough cracks to capture a closely-contested split decision triumph in their rematch. After initially relinquishing the 135-pound strap to Sterling due to an ill-advised illegal knee in a fight he was winning at UFC 259, Yan disputed the final scorecards in the second meeting with his rival. While some certainly thought Yan deserved the nod, the Russian may have to wait for his next title shot, because UFC president Dana White said an immediate trilogy is not in the cards.3. T.J. Dillashaw (17-4) | UFC [3]
After his disastrous attempt in 2019 to move down to flyweight and become a two-division champion, followed by a two-year suspension for banned performance enhancer EPO, Dillashaw returned at UFC on ESPN 27 on July 24. The 35-year-old former bantamweight champ took a narrow split decision over Cory Sandhagen, serving notice that he is an immediate factor in the title picture of the division he once ruled. Dillashaw is expected to be next in line to challenge for 135-pound gold once again, with UFC 279 the targeted event for a matchup with Aljamain Sterling.4. Cory Sandhagen (14-4) | UFC [4]
Sandhagen started well against Petr Yan in their interim title clash at UFC 267, but ultimately his volume-based attack wasn’t enough to get the nod against the Russian’s more emphatic power in a five-round decision defeat at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Sandhagen can be competitive against virtually anyone in the division, but after back-to-back close decision defeats against Yan and T.J. Dillashaw, the Elevation Fight Team product will have to put a few victories together before he can be considered for another championship opportunity. He’ll begin that road with a main event matchup against Yadong Song on Sept. 17.5. Jose Aldo (31-7) | UFC [5]
Even as he enters the twilight of his career, Aldo remains a viable contender in the UFC’s bantamweight division. The Nova Uniao standout proved that once again in the UFC on ESPN 31 headliner, where he blended power punching with opportunistic grappling to capture a unanimous verdict over surging contender Rob Font. After dropping his first two bantamweight appearances — including a title bout against Petr Yan — Aldo has won three consecutive outings at 135 pounds. Next, he’ll face Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278.6. Marlon Vera (19-7-1) | UFC [6]
Vera didn’t land the most strikes at UFC on ESPN 35, but he landed the ones that mattered most. Bolstered by three knockdowns, “Chito” battered and bloodied Rob Font in a unanimous decision triumph in their bantamweight headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on April 30. Vera delivered in his first main event appearance and has now won three consecutive bouts within the Las Vegas-based promotion. Next, Vera will lock horns with ex-champ Dominick Cruz on Aug. 13.7. Merab Dvalishvili (14-4) | UFC [7]
Dvalishvili was reeling in the opening round of his clash with Marlon Moraes at UFC 266, but “The Machine” rallied from the brink of defeat to author what turned into a dominant second-round technical knockout victory at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. That makes six consecutive victories for the Serra-Longo Fight Team representative, who looks like a nightmare matchup for much of the bantamweight division thanks to his relentless pace and wrestling. Dvalishvili will square off against ex-featherweight king Joe Aldo at UFC 278.8. Rob Font (19-6) | UFC [8]
Font landed with remarkable volume — the third most significant strikes in UFC history, to be exact — against Marlon Vera in the UFC on ESPN 35 headliner, but it was his opponent who landed the most consequential strikes — most notably a trio of knockdowns. That sent Font to a unanimous decision defeat and the first two-bout skid of his professional career. To make matters worse, Font missed weight by 2.5 pounds one day prior, which may have been indicative that something was amiss.9. Sergio Pettis (22-5) | UFC [9]
Pettis snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a spectacular fourth-round spinning backfist knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi to retain his bantamweight crown in the Bellator 272 headliner at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Dec. 3. Pettis has won his last five fights — including four straight under the Bellator banner at 135 pounds. Pettis was supposed to take part in the promotion’s 135-pound grand prix, but an injury forced him to withdraw from an opening round matchup with Raufeon Stots at Bellator 279. He’ll likely await the winner of the tournament, who will be crowned interim champ, at a future event.10. Yadong Song (19-6-1, 1 NC) | UFC [10]
Song earned a statement victory in the UFC Fight Night 203 co-main event, knocking out former World Series of Fighting champ Marlon Moraes in the evening’s co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The 24-year-old Team Alpha Male product has won three straight bouts and has lost just one of 10 promotional appearances overall. The “Kung Fu Monkey” will look to continue his ascent when he locks horns with Cory Sandhagen in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card on Sept. 17.Other Contenders: Dominick Cruz, Patrick Mix, Raufeon Stots, Ricky Simon, Kyoji Horiguchi.
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