Based mostly on wins and not on performance or should haves (i.e. controversial decisions). Sterling moved to FW (April 2024, rank 2).
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1
- Sean O'Malley
- "Suga"
- 18-1-0, 1 NC
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The UFC Bantamweight champion. O'Malley won the title at UFC 292 when he defeated Aljamain Sterling by TKO in the second round. O'Malley made his first title defense in rematch against Marlon Vera at UFC 299. He dominated Vera this time around for a shut out decision victory.
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2
- Merab Dvalishvili
- "The Machine"
- 17-4-0
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Dvalishvili returned at UFC 278 against Jose Aldo. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Dvalishvili headlined UFN 221 against Petr Yan. He dominated Yan for a decision victory. He took on former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion, Henry Cejudo, at UFC 298. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
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3
- Petr Yan
- "No Mercy"
- 17-5-0
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Yan looked to snap his two-fight losing streak when he fought Sean O'Malley at UFC 280. He failed to do so when he dropped a split decision to O'Malley. Yan headlined UFN 221 against Merab Dvalishvili. He lost to Dvalishvili by unanimous decision after five rounds. Yan fought Song Yadong at UFC 299. After a slow first round, he came back for the unanimous decision victory.
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4
- Cory Sandhagen
- "Sandman"
- 17-4-0
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Sandhagen stepped in on short notice at UFC 267 to face Petr Yan for the UFC Interim Bantamweight title. He lost to Yan by unanimous decision. Sandhagen faced Yadong Song at UFN 210 in the headliner. He won the fight by TKO due to a doctor's stoppage. He headlined UFC on ESPN 43 against Marlon Vera. He dominated Vera en route to a split decision victory. He was set to headline UFC on ESPN 50 against Umar Nurmagomedov, however, Nurmagomedov withdrew. He instead headlined against Rob Font. He won the fight by unanimous decision. He is rescheduled to face Umar Nurmagomedov.
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5
- Patchy Mix
- "No Love"
- 20-1-0
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The Bellator Bantamweight champion. Mix won the title at Bellator 301 when he submitted Sergio Pettis with a rear-naked choke. Mix faced Magomed Magomedov at Bellator Champion Series. He won the fight by split decision.
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6
- Deiveson Figueiredo
- "Deus da Guerra"
- 23-3-1
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Figueiredo made his UFC bantamweight debut at UFC on ESPN 52 against Rob Font. He defeated Font by unanimous decision. He faced Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300. He submitted Gabrandt with a rear-naked choke. Figueiredo will face Marlon Vera next.
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7
- Marlon Vera
- "Chito"
- 23-9-1
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Vera headlined UFC on ESPN 43 against Cory Sandhagen. He lost the one sided fight by split decision after five rounds. Vera faced Pedro Munhoz at UFC 292. He won the close fight by unanimous decision. Vera fought a rematch against Sean O'Malley at UFC 299, this time with the UFC Bantamweight title on the line. He lost a one-sided unanimous decision after five rounds. Vera will face Deiveson Figueiredo.
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8
- Rob Font
- 20-8-0
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Font returned at UFC 287 against Adrian Yanez. He pulled off the upset win with a first round TKO stoppage. He was set to face Yadong Song at UFC 292, however, Song withdrew. Font instead headlined UFC on ESPN 50 against Cory Sandhagen. He lost the one sided fight by unanimous decision. Font welcomed Deiveson Figueiredo to the bantamweight division at UFC on ESPN 52. He lost to the former UFC Flyweight champion by unanimous decision.
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9
- Kyler Phillips
- "The Matrix"
- 12-2-0
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Phillips faced Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
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10
- Pedro Munhoz
- "The Young Punisher"
- 20-9-0, 2 NC
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Munhoz returned against Chris Gutierrez at UFC on ESPN 44. He won the fight by unanimous decision, sweeping all three rounds. Munhoz faced Marlon Vera at UFC 292. He lost the close fight by unanimous decision. He faced Kyler Phillips at UFC 299. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
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11
- Yadong Song
- "Kung Fu Kid" | 21-8-1, 1 NC
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Song returned against Ricky Simon in the headliner at UFN 223. He defeated him by TKO in the fifth round. He was set to fight Rob Font at UFC 292, however, he withdrew from the bout. Song was then set to headline against Petr Yan, however, Yan withdrew from the bout. He instead headlined UFN 233 against Chris Gutierrez. He won the fight by a dominant unanimous decision. He competed against Petr Yan at UFC 299. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
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12
- José Aldo
- "Junior" | 32-8-0
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Aldo returned from his retirement at UFC 301 against Jonathan Martinez. He defeated Martinez by unanimous decision.
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13
- Jonathan Martinez
- "Dragon" | 19-5-0
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Martinez fought Said Nurmagomedov at UFN 221. He won the fight by unanimous decision. He faced Adrian Yanez next at UFN 230. He stopped Yanez by TKO due to leg kicks. Martinez welcomed Jose Aldo back to MMA competition at UFC 301. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
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14
- Chris Gutierrez
- "El Guapo" | 20-5-2
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Gutierrez faced Pedro Munhoz next at UFC on ESPN 44. He lost to Munhoz by unanimous decision. Gutierrez looked to rebound against Heili Alateng at UFN 230. He defeated him by unanimous decision. Gutierrez stepped in on short notice to headline against Song Yadong at UFN 233. He lost the one sided fight by unanimous decision.
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15
- Mario Bautista
- 14-2-0
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Bautista fought Ricky Simon at UFN 234. He won the fight by unanimous decision after three rounds.
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16
- Ricky Simón
- 20-5-0
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Simon faced Jack Shore next at UFC on ABC 3. He submitted Shore with an arm-triangle choke. Simon faced Yadong Song next in the headliner at UFN 223. He lost the fight by TKO in the fifth round. Simon returned against Mario Bautista at UFN 234. He lost the one sided fight by unanimous decision. He will take on Vinicius Oliveira at UFC 303.
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17
- Sergio Pettis
- "The Phenom" | 23-7-0
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Pettis made his next title defense against Patchy Mix at Bellator 301. He lost the fight and the title in the second round when he tapped out to a rear-naked choke. Pettis will rematch Kyoji Horiguchi at RIZIN 47.
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18
- Said Nurmagomedov
- 18-3-0
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Nurmagomedov faced Saidyokub Kakhramonov at UFN 216. He submitted Kakhramonov in the second round with a ninja choke. He faced striker Jonathan Martinez next at UFN 221. He lost to Martinez by unanimous decision. Nurmagomedov was set to face Kyler Phillips next, however, he withdrew from the bout. He faced Muin Gafurov at UFC 294. He won the fight by submission due to a guillotine choke. Nurmagomedov was set to face Montel Jackson next, however, he withdrew from the bout.
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19
- Cody Garbrandt
- "No Love" | 14-6-0
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Garbrandt fought Trevin Jones at UFC 285. He won the fight by unanimous decision. He was set to face Mario Bautista at UFC 292, however, he withdrew from the bout. Garbrandt instead returned against Brian Kelleher at UFC 296. He won the fight by knockout in the first round. He competed at UFC 300 against Deiveson Figueiredo. He was submitted by a rear-naked choke.
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20
- Kai Asakura
- 21-4-0
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Asakura fought Juan Archuleta at RIZIN 45. He won the fight by TKO due to a knee to the body.
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21
- Juan Archuleta
- "Spaniard" | 29-6-0
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22
- Soo Chul Kim
- 22-7-1
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23
- Daniel Marcos
- "Soncora" | 16-0-0, 1 NC
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24
- Davey Grant
- "Dangerous" | 13-7-0
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25
- Douglas Silva de Andrade
- "D'Silva" | 29-5-0, 1 NC
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26
- Cody Stamann
- "The Spartan" | 21-7-1
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27
- Raufeon Stots
- "Supa" | 20-2-0
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28
- Dominick Cruz
- "The Dominator" | 24-4-0
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Fell another two rankings (rank 23, December 2023). Fell another two rankings (rank 25, April 2024).
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29
- Garrett Armfield
- 10-3-0
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30
- Brad Katona
- "Superman" | 14-3-0
My Summary