UFC Bantamweight Prospects: Predicting Future Contenders
Vendetta’s coverage of prospect breakdowns for all UFC divisions continues with the Bantamweight division. The top of the division is in flux after a controversial ending to Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan. A rematch should be on the horizon for those two, but who are some names to keep an eye on that are on the rise at 135 pounds? Below are our UFC Bantamweight Prospects, or check out our Flyweight prospects here.
Rob Font
19-4 Ranked #3 Age: 33
Rob Font is rocketing up the Bantamweight rankings, as the 33-year-old is currently riding a four-fight win streak after victories against Sergio Pettis, Ricky Simon, Marlon Moraes, and Cody Garbrandt. Posting an average fight time of just over 9 minutes, Font has proven that he can finish the best of the best, especially as his boxing has improved leaps and bounds since his UFC debut in 2016. Font is a dangerous matchup as he is one of the hottest fighters at 135 pounds at the moment, and he should be in line for a title shot against either Sterling or the winner of Sterling/Yan.
Merab Dvalishvili
13-4 Ranking #10 Age: 30
Merab Dvalishvili absolutely mauls his opponents, and his 7.8 takedowns per 15 minutes rank among the highest in the division. Dvalishvili is currently on a six-fight win streak, including wins over Cody Stamann and John Dodson, and has the track record to show he can perform under the bright lights against big-time fighters. While he does not have a next fight booked, a fight against Marlon Moraes has been rumored, which would be an excellent showcase for Dvalishvili, as he would have the chance to pit his skills against a former champion. Keep an eye out for this fight over the next year and beyond.
Sean O’Malley
13-1 Ranking #14 Age 26
Sean O’Malley has had the attention of the UFC brass since his time on Dana White’s Contenders Series. His loss against Marlon Vera left a poor taste in people’s mouths because of how it ended, but he rebounded well with a KO of Thomas Almeida back in March of this year. O’Malley has the look and the mic skills to be a star in this sport, and the more experience he gets the better off he will be. A fight against someone like Cody Garbrandt or Dominick Cruz would be a showcase fight for him and would certainly bring even more eyes to the division.
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