Pursuing the Bantamweight Championship Belt
In the dynamic realm of the men's UFC Bantamweight rankings, the action never rests, and the rankings continually evolve. This is an exclusive dive into the latest updates of the 135 pound weight class, where we present a detailed guide to the Top 15 fighters of the division.
These are the professional fighters vying to get their shot at the coveted championship title (and the fighter who holds the belt). The men's Bantamweight division is home to lightning-fast paced fighters with technical brilliance and a world class display of skill.
In 2024, the competition is stiff, showcasing the evolution of fighters and the emergence of new talents. Each athlete brings something unique to the Octagon. In this article, we explore the fan favorites, analyze some their recent performances, and look at the implications for the division's current and future state.
Top 15 UFC Bantamweights
Current Bantamweight Champion - Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley became the UFC Bantamweight Champion after defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. He was rewarded with the championship belt for his unrelenting perseverance, magnetic charisma, and unmatched octagon dominance.
Nicknamed "Sugar", O'Malley's freewheeling, fancy-footwork-based fight style, paired with his knock-out power, have captivated fans across the globe. On March 9, 2024 O'Malley defended his Championship title against Marlon Chito Vera, winning the fight by unanimous decision.
He worked his way up the ranks using strategic planning, impressive footwork, and striking with great timing and accuracy. O'Malley's mental game and strategic execution have solidified his place at the pinnacle of the division, underlining his evolution from an upcoming talent to a full-fledged champion.
Suga Sean is scheduled to defend his Bantamweight Championship title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September 2024. Follow O'Malley on Instagram @sugasean to stay up to date with his journey as the Bantamweight champ.
#1 Bantamweight - Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili, the current #1 contender in the Men's UFC Bantamweight division, has an impressive fighting resume defined by his relentless wrestling and well-rounded skillset. Appropriately nicknamed "The Machine", Dvalishvili's ungodly gas tank in the octagon and ability to maintain overwhelming pressure on opponents, speaks to his mental toughness.
He has adaptable intelligence, an ability to pick up on opponent vulnerabilities, executes perfectly-timed takedowns, and strikes with strategy. Dvalishvili's latest victory came after he defeated Henry Cejudo by decision at UFC 298.
#2 Bantamweight - Umar Nurmagomedov
With an undefeated professional MMA record of 18 wins and 0 losses, Umar Nurmagomedov is constantly proving that he belongs in the UFC's 135-pound rankings. Nurmagomedov defeated Bekzat Almakhan at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev in March 2024 by unanimous decision.
Then, Nurmagomedov earned his most recent victory against Cory Sandhagen. This win elevated his status in the Bantamweight division even more, moving him up into the Top 5. If his future looks anything like his past, you will want to keep your eye on Umar Nurmagomedov.
#3 Bantamweight - Petr Yan
Petr Yan has trained at Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand and has the striking skills to prove it. Yan is known for fighting with a high-pressure style, using precise striking, and shocking durability to win fights against fellow world-class fighters.
Yan is able to maintain a relentless pace which creates an overwhelming offense for his opponents. His crisp striking is a lot of fun to watch as a fan and very effective in the octagon.
#4 Bantamweight - Cory Sandhagen
Cory Sandhagen has a diverse skill set, but is most well-known for his fluid striking techniques and innovative footwork. Sandhagen thrives in the Octagon with what seems like very little effort.
Coupled with an extensive reach and a dynamic, unorthodox arsenal of strikes, Sandhagen's high fight IQ and determination make him a top contender within the division. Cory Sandhagen lost his most recent fight against Umar Nurmagomedov in August 2024 by unanimous decision.
#5 Bantamweight - Deiveson Figueiredo
Deiveson Figueiredo always puts on remarkable performances in the UFC Men's Flyweight division, where he was a two-time Champion. While he has not yet earned a title in the Bantamweight division, the Brazilian fighter's aggressive and powerful style are already having an impact on the 135-pound weight class.
At UFC 300 in April 2024, Figueiredo defeated Cody Garbrandt by rear-naked choke submission. Then, Figueiredo won again, against Marlon Vera in August 2024 after 3 rounds. This bumped Figueiredo's professional record up to 24 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw.
#6 Bantamweight - Henry Cejudo
Olympic gold medalist wrestler and former Flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo has been fighting in the UFC since 2014. "Triple C" is most well-known for his world class wrestling and in-fight timing.
Cejudo lost his last fight against Merab Dvalishvili by decision at UFC 298. Cejudo has since stated that he is not planning on retiring anytime soon.
#7 Bantamweight - Marlon Vera
After competing in The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, Marlon "Chito" Vera worked his way up Bantamweight division rankings. His well-rounded fight game has contributed to his success in the octagon.
In March 2024, Vera challenged Sean O'Malley (for the second time) at UFC 299, but lost by unanimous decision. Vera also lost his latest bout against Deiveson Figueiredo in August 2024.
#8 Bantamweight - Song Yadong
Song Yadong aka "The Terminator", has a versatile striking game that implements a combination of seamless transitions between long and short-distance ranges and styles.
His confident approach and successful execution keep his opponents guessing. Although he lost his most recent bout to Petr Yan at UFC 299, Yadong's performances against fellow Top 15 contenders continually reaffirms his status as a contender within the division.
#9 Bantamweight - José Aldo
José Aldo won his latest fight against Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 in May 2024 after 3 rounds. This victory brought Aldo's professional MMA record to an impressive 32 wins and 8 losses.
In 2023, Aldo was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame for his contributions as a well-rounded and respected fighter.
#10 Bantamweight - Rob Font
Despite losing to Cory Sandhagen in August 2023, Rob Font fights with a combination of good boxing and effective grappling. Font's ability to dissect his opponents' game plans and unearth their vulnerabilities speak to his level of experience.
Frequently demonstrating his powerful striking while maintaining range, Font uses precision and composure to confront his opponents. Font lost his latest bout against Deiveson Figueiredo in December 2023 by unanimous decision, but we're excited to see him perform at his next fight.
In Pursuit of the Championship Belt - Who Are You Rooting For?
Out of all of the Bantamweight division's current contenders and champions, who are you rooting for? As we watch fighters continue to write their legacies inside the Octagon, the rankings are a reflection of the setbacks and victories of its competitors.
We hope you enjoyed this rundown. Come back and check for updates after the next UFC PPV as we continue to watch the men's UFC Bantamweight rankings evolve!
