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The UFC bantamweight division at 135 pounds has become one of the most technically rich weight classes in the organization. At the top sits Merab Dvalishvili, the Georgian wrestling machine who claimed gold after a legendary rivalry with his former friend Sean O’Malley. Below him, a deep field of elite fighters battles for position in one of MMA’s most competitive divisions.

UFC Bantamweight Champion: Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili holds the UFC bantamweight championship after defeating Sean O’Malley for the title. The Georgian fighter is one of the most relentless wrestlers in MMA — a nonstop pressure machine who combines elite takedown ability with surprisingly solid striking. He makes fights nightmarish for opponents by constant forward movement and physical exhaustion of his opponents. His training partnership with former champion Aljamain Sterling made him one of the most technically refined wrestlers in the bantamweight division.

Top 5 UFC Bantamweights

#1 Contender: Sean O’Malley

Sean O’Malley held the bantamweight title before losing it to Dvalishvili. His boxing-heavy style, long range, and exceptional head movement made him one of the most watchable fighters in the UFC. His slick counterpunching and power were impressive for 135 pounds. A rematch with Dvalishvili is one of the most anticipated potential bantamweight fights.

#2: Umar Nurmagomedov

Cousin of undefeated former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Umar has carved out his own identity as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division. His grappling is elite — as expected given the Nurmagomedov family pedigree — but he has added striking that makes him dangerous on the feet as well. Undefeated in the UFC, he is a very serious title contender.

#3: Cory Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen is one of the best strikers at bantamweight, known for his unorthodox angles, athletic footwork, and highlight-reel finishes. His spinning back kick KO of Frankie Edgar is one of the most memorable in recent UFC history. He has been in title contention for several years and consistently performs in high-level fights.

#4: Aljamain Sterling

“Funkmaster” Aljamain Sterling is a former UFC bantamweight champion who held the title for an extended period, including wins over Petr Yan and TJ Dillashaw. His wrestling and submission grappling are excellent, and his BJJ black belt gives him finishing ability from bottom positions that is unusual at this level. He remains a top-five fighter despite losing the title to O’Malley.

#5: Song Yadong

The Chinese fighter Song Yadong has quietly assembled one of the best records at bantamweight, with impressive wins over multiple ranked fighters. His striking is sharp, he has shown excellent durability, and his consistency has made him a legitimate title contender. He represents the growing depth of Chinese MMA talent in the UFC.

Other Notable Bantamweights to Watch

Marlon Vera: The Ecuadorian fighter “Chito” Vera is one of the most exciting performers at bantamweight. His aggressive style, solid striking, and never-say-die attitude have produced multiple Fight of the Night bonuses. He has big wins over O’Malley and Rob Font.

Rob Font: A former top contender whose boxing skill and accuracy make him one of the most technically interesting fighters in the division. He’s had some losses against top competition but remains a dangerous opponent for anyone in the top 10.

Deiveson Figueiredo: The former flyweight champion moved up to bantamweight and immediately demonstrated he belongs at 135 pounds. His power punching and aggressive style have produced some spectacular finishes. He is a legitimate title threat.

The State of the Division

The UFC bantamweight division is in a fascinating state. Dvalishvili’s wrestling-heavy title reign has invited challengers who might be able to neutralize his grappling-based approach. O’Malley likely gets a rematch at some point. Umar Nurmagomedov could be the dark horse to unseat the champion. And several fighters just outside the top 5 — Vera, Figueiredo, Sandhagen — are always capable of breaking into the title picture with a few strong performances.

For fans who enjoy technical MMA, bantamweight delivers some of the sport’s best fighting. The combination of speed, technical refinement, and competitive depth at 135 pounds makes it consistently one of the UFC’s most rewarding divisions to follow.