Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Bantamweight
1. Aljamain Sterling (22-3) | UFC [1]
Sterling dominated T.J. Dillashaw in all aspects en route to a second-round technical knockout victory in the UFC 280 co-main event in Abu Dhabi. It was the performance one might expect given the fact that Dillashaw entered with fight with a dislocated shoulder that popped out of place multiple times in the bout. With that said, credit Sterling for making his opponent pay for electing to compete while compromised. With eight straight wins under his belt, “The Funk Master” will enter his next title defense against Henry Cejudo — set for UFC 288 — with some serious momentum.2. Merab Dvalishvili (16-4) | UFC [2]
If there was any question how Dvalishvili’s gas tank would hold up over a five-round fight heading into his UFC Fight Night 221 showdown with Petr Yan, there isn’t now. “The Machine” set a promotion record for takedowns attempted while outstriking the former bantamweight champion for 25 minutes in a clear-cut unanimous decision triumph in Las Vegas on March 11. Dvalishvili has won nine straight UFC bouts — eight at 135 pounds — but his road to the title is currently blocked by teammate and reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.3. Sean O’Malley (16-1, 1 NC) UFC [3]
In a fight he wasn’t expected to win, O’Malley displayed his mettle against Petr Yan, capturing a split-decision triumph at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 22. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum kept his head against the former bantamweight champion, landing damaging shots while either defending or returning to his feet following takedown attempts. While many observers thought Yan deserved the nod, O’Malley made a strong enough impression to get the nod on two of the three cageside scorecards, potentially paving the way for a shot at 135-pound gold at a future event. A rematch against Yan isn’t out of the realm of possibility, either.4. Petr Yan (16-5) | UFC [4]
Yan had no answer for Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure and pace in the UFC Fight Night 221 headliner, as he dropped a unanimous decision to “The Machine” at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas on March 11. Though Yan has lost four of his last five outings in UFC competition, that record is deceptive: Two of those setbacks were split decisions and another was the controversial disqualification loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. “No Mercy” remains a top-tier bantamweight, though he may now be facing a longer road if he hopes to receive another title shot in the future.5. T.J. Dillashaw (17-5) | UFC [5]
Dillashaw entered UFC 280 with a shoulder injury and was clearly affected by the ailment for the duration of his second-round technical knockout loss to Aljamain Sterling in the evening’s co-main event in Abu Dhabi. Not only was Dillashaw not competitive in the fight, but by electing to compete with an injury that had affected him since April, he risked suffering even more damage to the shoulder. The ex-champ could face a lengthy recovery process from the injury, and he informed the UFC of his retirement a little less than two months after the loss to Sterling. As a result, his rankings eligibility is set to expire on Oct. 22, 2023.6. Cory Sandhagen (15-4) | UFC [6]
Sandhagen used his precise striking arsenal to fend off a game Yadong Song in the UFC Fight Night 210 headliner, winning via doctor stoppage after four rounds when it was determined that his opponent was unable to continue due to a massive cut over his left eye. The former interim title challenger returns to the win column after dropping back-to-back five-round decisions at the hands of Petr Yan and T.J. Dillashaw. Sandhagen can get back into title contention with a win over Marlon Vera, who he meets in the UFC on ESPN 43 headliner on March 25.7. Jose Aldo (31-8) | UFC [7]
Aldo remained upright for the duration of his showdown with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278, but stellar takedown defense alone wasn’t enough for the Nova Uniao representative, as he was unable to pull the trigger consistently with his striking in a unanimous decision defeat. That snaps a three-fight winning streak for the former featherweight champ, who may have seen his last best chance for another title shot at 135 pounds come to an end. Aldo announced his retirement shortly after that defeat, so if a comeback doesn’t materialize, his rankings eligibility will expire on Aug. 20, 2023.8. Marlon Vera (20-7-1) | UFC [8]
Vera is proving to be one of the heaviest hitters in the bantamweight division. While he lacked the overall striking volume of UFC on ESPN 41 opponent Dominick Cruz, “Chito” was credited with three knockdowns, including a vicious head kick that ended the headlining affair 2:17 into the fourth round. All told, Vera has scored six knockdowns in his last two fights — main event triumphs against Cruz and Rob Font — and has won four straight contests to establish himself as a person of interest at 135 pounds. Vera will attempt to add another notable name to his resume when he locks horns with Cory Sandhagen in the UFC on ESPN 43 main event.9. Sergio Pettis (22-5) | Bellator [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. 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. Patrick Mix (17-1) | Bellator [10]
Mix rolled into the bantamweight grand prix finals at Bellator 289, as he rendered Magomed Magomedov unconscious with a second-round guillotine choke in their bout at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Dec. 9. “Patchy” has finished 12 of his 17 career wins via submission — including three of his last four Bellator opponents. Up next is a showdown with interim 135-pound king Raufeon Stots at Bellator 295.Other Contenders: Rob Font, Raufeon Stots, Yadong Song, Dominick Cruz, Ricky Simon.
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