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411 MMA Rankings 07.24.18: Bantamweight Division – TJ Dillashaw, Dominick Cruz, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Bantamweight Division (135 pounds)
1) T.J. Dillashaw (15-3)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: February 7, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Cody Garbrandt – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017
– vs. John Lineker – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 207 – December 30, 2016
– vs. Raphael Assuncao – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200 – July 9, 2016
– vs. Dominick Cruz – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – January 17, 2016
– vs. Renan Barao – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barao 2 – July 25, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Cody Garbrandt – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
2) Cody Garbrandt (11-1)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: July 7, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. T.J. Dillashaw – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017
– vs. Dominick Cruz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 207 – December 30, 2016
– vs. Takeya Mizugaki – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 202 – August 20, 2016
– vs. Thomas Almeida – Win via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night – May 29, 2016
– vs. Augusto Mendes – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – February 21, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. T.J. Dillashaw – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
3) Raphael Assuncao (27-5)
Height: 5’4
Birthday: July 19, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rob Font – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 226 – July 7, 2018
– vs. Matthew Lopez – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – November 11, 2017
– vs. Marlon Moraes – Win via decision (split) – UFC 212 – June 3, 2017
– vs. Aljamain Sterling – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox – January 28, 2017
– vs. T.J. Dillashaw – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2 – July 9, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
4) Marlon Moraes (21-5-1)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: April 26, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jimmie Rivera – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC Fight Night – June 1, 2018
– vs. Aljamain Sterling – Win via KO (knee) – UFC Fight Night – December 9, 2017
– vs. John Dodson – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – November 11, 2017
– vs. Raphael Assuncao – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 212 – June 3, 2017
– vs. Josenaldo Silva – Win via TKO (knee injury) – WSOF 34 – December 31, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
5) Jimmie “El Terror” Rivera (21-2)
Height: 5’4
Birthday: June 29, 1980
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Marlon Moraes – Loss via KO (head kick) – UFC Fight Night – June 1, 2018
– vs. Thomas Almeida – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – July 22, 2017
– vs. Urijah Faber – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem – September 10, 2016
– vs. Iuri Alcantara – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – January 30, 2016
– vs. Pedro Munhoz – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – November 7, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. John Dodson – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
6) John Lineker (32-8)
Height: 5’3
Birthday: January 1, 1990
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Brian Kelleher – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 224 – May 12, 2018
– vs. Marlon Vera – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 28, 2017
– vs. T.J. Dillashaw – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 207 – December 30, 2016
– vs. John Dodson – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – October 1, 2016
– vs. Michael McDonald – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 13, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) Dominick Cruz (22-2)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: September 3, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Cody Garbrandt – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 207 – December 30, 2016
– vs. Urijah Faber – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2 – June 4, 2016
– vs. T.J. Dillashaw – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – January 17, 2016
– vs. Takeya Mizugaki – Win via TKO (punches) – UFC 178: Alvarez vs. Cerrone – September 27, 2014
– vs. Demetrious Johnson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Versus: Cruz vs. Faber – October 1, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: On the mend from a shoulder injury, Cruz is hoping to return to action before the end of the year. As for any potential opponent, he is looking at anyone near the top of the division. Clearly, he would be the biggest bantamweight name for whomever comes out of UFC 227 as the champion. However, perhaps a fight with either top contender Marlon Moraes or Raphael Assuncao would be a more realistic first fight for Cruz since he last competed at the end of 2016.
8) Bibiano Fernandes (22-3)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: March 30, 1980
Currently Fighting With: One Championship
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Martin Nguyen – Win via decision (split) – One Championship – March 24, 2018
– vs. Andrew Leone – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – One Championship – August 5, 2017
– vs. Reece McLaren – Win via decision (split) – One FC – December 2, 2016
– vs. Kevin Belingon – Win via submission (Kimura) – One FC 36: Dynasty of Champions – January 23, 2016
– vs. Toni Tauru – Win via KO (punch) – One FC 29: Kingdom of Warriors – July 18, 2015
– vs. Dae Hwan Kim – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – One FC 23: Warrior’s Way – December 5, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Darrion Caldwell (12-1)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: December 19, 1987
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Leandro Higo – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – Bellator 195 – March 2, 2018
– vs. Eduardo Dantas – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 184 – October 6, 2017
– vs. Joe Taimanglo – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 167 – December 3, 2016
– vs. Joe Taimanglo – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – Bellator 159 – July 22, 2016
– vs. Joe Warren – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 151 – March 4, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Noad Lahat – Bellator 204 – August 17, 2018
10) Kyoji Horiguchi (24-2)
Height: 5’5
Birthday: October 12, 1990
Currently Fighting With: Rizin Fighting
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ian McCall – Win via TKO (punch) – Rizin FF – May 6, 2018
– vs. Shintaro Ishiwatari – Win via KO (punches) – Rizin Grand Prix 2017 Bantamweight Tournament – December 31, 2017
– vs. Manel Kape – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – Rizin Grand Prix 2017 Bantamweight Tournament – December 31, 2017
– vs. Gabriel Leite de Oliveira – Win via TKO (strikes) – Rizin Grand Prix 2017 Bantamweight Tournament – December 29, 2017
– vs. Hideo Tokoro – Win via KO (strikes) – Rizin Grand Prix 2017 Bantamweight Tournament – July 30, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Hiromasa Ogikubo – Rizin FF – July 29, 2018
11) Aljamain “The Funk Master” Sterling (15-3)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: July 31, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Brett Johns – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
– vs. Marlon Moraes – Loss via KO (knee) – UFC Fight Night – December 9, 2017
– vs. Renan Barao – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017
– vs. Augusto Mendes – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017
– vs. Raphael Assuncao – Loss via decision (split) – UFC on Fox – January 28, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Cody Stamann – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
12) John Dodson (20-9)
Height: 5’3
Birthday: September 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Pedro Munhoz – Win via decision (split) – UFC 222 – March 3, 2018
– vs. Marlon Moraes – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – November 11, 2017
– vs. Eddie Wineland – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 22, 2017
– vs. John Lineker – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – October 1, 2016
– vs. Manny Gamburyan – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jimmie Rivera – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
13) Cody Stamann (17-1)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: November 9, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Bryan Caraway – Win via decision (split) – UFC 222 – March 3, 2018
– vs. Tom Duquesny – Win via decision (split) – UFC 216 – October 7, 2017
vs. Terrion Ware – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 213 – July 8, 2017
– vs. Zac Church – Win via TKO (strikes) – Knockout Promotions 55 – April 29, 107
– vs. Bill Kamery – Win via TKO (strikes) – Knockout Promotions 54 – March 17, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Aljamain Sterling – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
14) Michael “Mayday” McDonald (19-4)
Height: 5’8
Birthday: January 15, 1991
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Eduardo Dantas – Win via KO (strikes) – Bellator 202 – July 13, 2018
– vs. Peter Ligier – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 191 – December 15, 2017
– vs. John Lineker – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 13, 2016
– vs. Masanori Kanehara – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit – January 2, 2016
– vs. Urijah Faber – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 – December 15, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: It was one of the most bittersweet scenes in MMA all year. While Michael McDonald finished Eduardo Dantas in under a minute earlier this month, earning his second consecutive win for the first time since 2012! Dantas suffered an injury to his fibula and ligaments as he was stopped with strikes. He only figures to be out of action for two months. The real stinger came when McDonald announced during his post-fight interview that he had broken his left hand (he has had a history of fractures to his right hand), and wondered aloud about his future in the sport.
The win over Dantas is McDonald’s first over a ranked bantamweight since he choked out Brad Pickett in 2013, and his fastest finish since he knocked out Alex Soto in 56-seconds in 2011. He’s just 27-years-old and clearly still has a lot to offer in the sport, so hopefully he can remain healthy moving forward and become a difference maker in Bellator’s 135-pound division.
*Eduardo Dantas with this loss falls out of the 411 MMA Rankings in this edition. Based off of a quick check of the archives, this may very well be the first time he has not appeared in our rankings since the summer of 2011.
15) Brett Johns (15-1)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: February 21, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Aljamain Sterling – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
– vs. Joe Soto – Win via submission (calf slicer) – UFC TUF Finale – December 1, 2017
– vs. Albert Morales – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 16, 2017
– vs. Kwan Ho Kwak – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016
– vs. Anthony Gutierrez – Win via decision (split) – Titan FC 34 – July 18, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Pedro Munhoz – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
