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411 MMA Rankings 03.26.19: Bantamweight Division – TJ Dillashaw, Marlon Moraes, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Bantamweight Division (135 pounds)
The bantamweight division unexpectedly returned to the forefront of the news this past week due to T.J. Dillashaw breaking the news that he was found to have failed a drug test. The test was from January when he was tested around the fight with Henry Cejudo and all that was said about the test was it resulted in “adverse findings.” There has been no confirmation of what was adverse but the UFC bantamweight champion vacated the title before news broke he was suspended one year by the New York State Athletic Commission. He will not be eligible to return to action until January 2020. Dillashaw scored the upset of 2014 when he knocked out Renan Barao to become champion. He lost it to Dominick Cruz in a split decision almost two years later, but went on another tear leading to his second title reign when he knocked out Cody Garbrandt in 2017. A rematch saw a similar result but Dillashaw sought flyweight gold and was knocked out in 32 seconds two months ago. Below is the state of the division without a (UFC) champion.
1) Marlon Moraes (22-5-1)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: April 26, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Raphael Assuncao – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – February 2, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: The first top bantamweight was Miguel Torres who went 37-1 before his career took a turn and he went 7-8 in the final seven years of his career. Moraes beat him among the latter run and nearly seven years since that time, is now the clear cut best bantamweight int he world. He owns wins over Raphael Assuncao, John Dodson, Aljamain Sterling and Jimmie Rivera in the past year and a half alone. All that remains to be seen is Moraes competing in a title fight, which may just happen against reigning flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.
2) Raphael Assuncao (27-6)
Height: 5’4
Birthday: July 19, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Marlon Moraes – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – February 2, 2019
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
3) Aljamain “The Funk Master” Sterling (17-3)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: July 31, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jimmie Rivera – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – February 17, 2019
– vs. Cody Stamann – Win via submission (kneebar) – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
4) Pedro Munhoz (18-3-1)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: September 7, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Cody Garbrandt – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019
– vs. Bryan Caraway – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 30, 2018
– vs. Brett Johns – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
– vs. John Dodson – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 222 – March 3, 2018
– vs. Rob Font – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night – October 28, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
5) John Lineker (31-8)
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:
– vs. Cory Sandhagen – UFC on ESPN – April 27, 2019
6) Kyoji Horiguchi (26-2)
Height: 5’5
Birthday: October 12, 1990
Currently Fighting With: Rizin Fighting
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Darrion Caldwell – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – Rizin 14 – December 31, 2018
– vs. Hiromasa Ogikubo – Win via decision (unanumous) – Rizin FF – July 28, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Ben Nguyen – Rizin FF – April 21, 2019
7) Cody Garbrandt (11-3)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: July 7, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Pedro Munoz – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019
– vs. T.J. Dillashaw – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Last year, Dillashaw and Garbrandt were slugging it out for the UFC championship. Now, neither is close to contending for that title anytime soon. Garbrandt was knocked out in the first round by Pedro Munhoz this month, his third straight KO/TKO loss. It’s a worrisome sight for any fighter.
8) Jimmie “El Terror” Rivera (22-3)
Height: 5’4
Birthday: June 29, 1980
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Aljamain Sterling – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – February 17, 2019
– vs. John Dodson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYJliVMoxVc
9) Darrion Caldwell (13-2)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: December 19, 1987
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kyoji Horiguchi – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – Rizin 14 – December 31, 2018
– vs. Noad Lahat – Win via KO (punches) – Bellator 204 – August 17, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Bibiano Fernandes (22-4)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: March 30, 1980
Currently Fighting With: One Championship
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kevin Belingon – Loss via decision (split) – One Championship – November 9, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Kevin Belingon – One Championship – March 31, 2019
11) Kevin Belingon (20-5)
Height: 5’5
Birthday: October 30, 1987
Currently Fighting With: One Championship
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Bibiano Fernandes – Win via decision (split) – One Championship – November 9, 2018
– vs. Martin Nguyen – Win via decision (unanimous) – One Championship – July 27, 2018
– vs. Andrew Leone – Win via TKO (spinning back kick) – One Championship – April 20, 2018
– vs. Kevin Chung – Win via decision (unanimous) – One Championship – November 10, 2017
– vs. Reece McLaren – Win via KO (strikes) – One Championship – August 18, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Bibiano Fernandes – One Championship – March 31, 2019
12) Petr Yan (12-1)
Height: 5’7
Birthday: February 11, 1993
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. John Dodson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2019
– vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade – Win via TKO (corner stoppage) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018
– vs. Jin Soo Son – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 15, 2018
– vs. Teruto Ishihara – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – June 23, 2018
– vs. Matheus Mattos – Win via TKO (strikes) – ACB 71 – September 23, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) John Dodson (20-11)
Height: 5’3
Birthday: September 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Petr Yan – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 23, 2019
– vs. Jimmie Rivera – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Cody Stamann (18-2)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: November 9, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Alejandro Perez – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019
– vs. Aljamain Sterling – Loss via submission (kneebar) – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Ricky Simon (15-1)
Height: 5’6
Birthday: August 31, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rani Yahya – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 234 – February 10, 2019
– vs. Montel Jackson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018
– vs. Merab Dvalishvili – Win via technical submission (guillotine choke) – UFC Fight Night – April 21, 2018
– vs. Vinicius Zani – Win via KO (strikes) – LFA 36 – March 23, 2018
– vs. Chico Camus – Win via decision (unanimous) – LFA 29 – December 15, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
