As UFC 322 approaches, the race for the promotion’s deepest, most competitive division has become a toss-up between bantamweight and welterweight. Both weight classes are stacked with former champions, elite contenders, and upcoming title fights that could shift the balance of power before the end of the year.
Two ex-champions are chasing gold in new territory, adding fresh intrigue to divisions already defined by razor-thin margins and volatile rankings.
The Bantamweight Powerhouse
The 135-pound division has long been the UFC’s sleeper class — technical, fast, and talent-heavy. Now, it’s also the most unpredictable.
Sean O’Malley, the reigning bantamweight champion, remains the face of the division with a blend of charisma and sniper-like striking. But the contenders chasing him are not far behind.
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Merab Dvalishvili (17-4) continues to impose his relentless wrestling pace, riding a nine-fight win streak that includes victories over Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, and Cory Sandhagen.
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Cory Sandhagen (17-4) remains a perennial threat with one of the most complete striking arsenals in the sport, recently rebounding with a dominant win over Song Yadong.
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Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0), unbeaten and methodical, may be the dark horse — a blend of Dagestani control and striking precision reminiscent of his cousin Khabib’s dominance.
Add to that a surging group of newcomers like Jonathan Martinez and Raoni Barcelos, and the division’s depth rivals any in UFC history.
