Main Card Media

The UFC bantamweight division at 135 pounds is loaded with elite talent and one of the sport’s most magnetic champions. Sean O’Malley’s combination of skill, style, and personality has elevated the division’s profile, and the contender pool behind him is deep with fighters capable of taking the belt on any given night.

UFC Bantamweight Champion

Sean O’Malley (c) — Suga’s rise from flashy prospect to UFC champion has been one of the more compelling storylines in recent MMA history. His unorthodox striking, exceptional footwork, and ability to find angles that traditional fighters don’t create make him a nightmare matchup stylistically. More than just a highlight reel — he’s proven he can fight through adversity and make adjustments.

Top 10 Bantamweight Contenders

#1 — Marlon Vera

Chito has been in the thick of the bantamweight title conversation for years. The Ecuadorian fighter brings a relentless attack, excellent body work, and the toughness to fight through pressure from anyone in the division. His veteran experience at the highest level makes him a genuine threat to the champion.

#2 — Merab Dvalishvili

The Machine is perhaps the most physically exhausting opponent in the entire UFC. Dvalishvili’s relentless takedown pressure, cardio that never quits, and grinding control game make him a stylistic nightmare. His connection to Aljamain Sterling keeps the politics of the division interesting, but his fighting ability stands on its own.

#3 — Aljamain Sterling

Funk Master held the belt with five title defenses and remains one of the most technically complete fighters at 135. His grappling is elite-level, his game continues to evolve, and he has the championship experience to know how to manage a five-round fight. Former champion who can reclaim the belt.

#4 — Cory Sandhagen

The Sandman is among the most creative strikers in all of MMA. His spinning attacks, flying knees, and unorthodox timing make him extremely difficult to prepare for, and he’s shown the ability to stop elite-level fighters with his striking. A win over a top contender puts him right back in the title picture.

#5 — Petr Yan

No Mercy remains one of the most technically polished strikers at bantamweight. The Russian fighter’s precise boxing, footwork, and ability to control exchanges make him a legitimate challenge for anyone at 135. Former interim champion with the experience to compete at the highest level.

#6 — Song Yadong

The Chinese fighter has been climbing the bantamweight rankings with impressive and decisive victories. Song’s striking power is exceptional for the weight class, and his finishing instinct makes him dangerous in every exchange. A genuine title contender in the making.

#7 — Rob Font

Font brings a high-output striking game built on volume punching and the cardio to maintain it for 15 minutes. He’s been competitive with virtually every top bantamweight he’s faced, and his consistency keeps him in the contender picture even through losses to the division’s elite.

#8 — Dominick Cruz

One of the greatest bantamweights of all time continues to compete at a high level despite years of injury setbacks. Cruz’s footwork and movement-based fighting style remain unique in the division, and his veteran savvy gives him advantages that younger fighters simply haven’t earned yet.

#9 — Deiveson Figueiredo

Deus da Guerra moved up from flyweight to bantamweight and brought his aggressive, finisher’s mentality with him. The Brazilian’s knockout power and submission game translate across weight classes, and at 135 he has the physicality to match the elite level of competition.

#10 — Henry Cejudo

Triple C’s Olympic wrestling credentials and dual-weight UFC championship pedigree keep him in any discussion about the bantamweight division. Cejudo’s ability to implement a diverse, high-IQ game plan makes him dangerous despite age and ring rust factors.

Division Outlook

O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili or Vera are the fights that make the most sense at the top. Dvalishvili’s wrestling and relentless pressure presents a unique challenge to O’Malley’s striking-based game, while Vera’s toughness and experience against champions makes him a legitimate threat.

Sandhagen is perpetually one big win away from re-entering the title picture, and Sterling’s history with this weight class means he’s never truly out of the conversation. The bantamweight division rarely produces a dull fight at any level of the rankings.

Main Card Media Take

Bantamweight is a must-watch division. The champion is a star, the contenders are hungry, and the fights produce finishes at an above-average rate. O’Malley has given this division a charisma injection it didn’t necessarily need — because the fights were already great — but his presence elevates it further.

Rankings updated April 2026. Follow @MainCard_Media for live updates and fight night coverage.