Where We Stand: Bantamweight Division | May 2023

Outlook: We all deserve a loyal friend in our life like Merab Dvalishvili. Never once has “The Machine” wavered on his refusal to fight Sterling for the title despite his clear status as the No. 1 contender. That puts him in the position of title-shot gatekeeper for most hopeful contenders until Sterling ultimately moves up a weight class. For now, Dvalishvili’s next move is up in the air. Cory Sandhagen made the rare move of calling him out, so that’s a fight that could easily be made at some point to keep both in the picture past the upcoming title fight, but Dvalisvhili was also the name on the tip of Cejudo’s tongue, as well. Regardless, the menace that is Merab will wreak havoc on whatever path is laid before him.

2) Sean O’Malley

Last Fight: Split Decision Win vs Petr Yan (10/22/2022)

Next fight: N/A

Outlook: It’s hard to dispute the fact that O’Malley has played his last few years perfectly. Since his return from a two-year layoff from 2018 to 2020, “Sugar” has fought frequently (eight times from March 2020 to October 2022) and impressively (six wins, five finishes), if not always against the most notable competition. However, the level and frequency of entertaining performances led him to an opportunity against former champ Petr Yan, and he came away with the split decision win, cementing himself as a legitimate title contender. After his in-Octagon appearance at UFC 288, the stage is set for “The Sugar Show.” The technicolor striker has made his recent love for grappling known, but it’ll get tested in full against Sterling. Few if any bantamweights can match O’Malley’s combination of size, speed and power. Now, it’s time to finally see if he can create that spectacular moment against someone of Sterling’s caliber and skill set.

3) Henry Cejudo

Last Fight: Split Decision Loss vs Aljamain Sterling (5/6/2023)

Next fight: N/A

Outlook: Even in defeat, Cejudo – coming off three years away – was impressive in his return to action. The result against Sterling could’ve gone either way, and considering the struggles of fighters older than 35 in lighter weight classes when it comes to championship fights, “Triple C” reminded everyone he is much more than The King of Cringe. That all said, it’s hard to see where Cejudo goes from here, and he relayed as much after the fight. He is in this to prove he is the best, and losing to Sterling threw a wrench in his plans to chase a third belt at featherweight. It felt like Cejudo might go back into retirement, but as he is wont to do, he has made noise on social media about fighting Dvalishvili. Whether that happens is uncertain, but Cejudo certainly showed he is more than capable of being that ultimate competitor at an advanced age.

4) Cory Sandhagen

Last Fight: Split Decision Win vs Marlon Vera (3/25/2023)

Next fight: N/A

Outlook: After dropping decisions to TJ Dillashaw and Petr Yan in 2021, Sandhagen bounced back looking better than ever in his TKO win over Song Yadong and split decision win over Marlon “Chito” Vera. In typical fashion, Sandhagen believes he doesn’t deserve a title shot until he gets past Dvalishvili and he called his shot in San Antonio. Whether that fight comes to fruition is yet to be seen, but it’s hard to imagine another top contender calling out the Georgian any time soon. Sandhagen is likely one more win away from a clear spot as the next title contender.

5) Petr Yan

Last Fight: Unanimous Decision Loss vs Merab Dvalishvili (3/11/2023)

Next fight: N/A

Outlook: The peculiar case of Petr Yan continues. The illegal knee he threw against Sterling remains one of the biggest “what ifs” in recent memory, considering his dominant run to the title. Since then, he has lost three in a row. It says something about his strength of schedule and quality of performances that he remains in the Top 5 without any real controversy. However, he is obviously in desperate need of a win. Fights against Vera, Rob Font or Song Yadong all make sense, as does one against Cejudo if the former two-division champ is indeed staying around.  

In the Mix: Marlon Vera, Rob Font, Yadong Song, Umar Nurmagomedov

Outlook: Bantamweight is probably the deepest division in the UFC at the moment. Little separates the Top 15 and those on the fringe, and there are truly no straightforward, easy fights. Dominant and entertaining win streaks aren’t enough to get a shot at the title, as Vera learned, and he hopes to bounce back from a disappointing outing against Sandhagen. Fights against Yan and Font make sense for him, and if O’Malley gets past Sterling, there is plenty of narrative there.

For Font, the New England Cartel representative emphatically earned a must-win fight against the surging Adrian Yanez to cement himself in the outer ring of the title picture for the time being. After tough losses to José Aldo and Vera, he needed a big result, and a first-round KO was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Speaking of bounce-back wins, Song Yadong did as much in his fifth-round knockout win over Ricky Simon. It was exactly the kind of performance that you want to see from a younger fighter, especially coming off a loss where he was competitive but not as impressive. He is likely China’s best chance at a male champion right now, and he showed as much against Simon.

On the outside looking in is Umar Nurmagomedov. “Cousin Umar” is a fight few people seem eager to take, but he is an immensely intriguing test for everyone in the Top 10.