The UFC bantamweight division is currently ruled by two champions: the absentee king Dominick Cruz and his placeholder Renan Barao. Both champions have proven themselves capable of defending MMA‘s top prize at 135 pounds, and both just now seem to be entering their prime.
But, the inherent rivalry shared by competing champions is only the beginning. Beneath lies substantial reservoirs of raw talent, which most divisions cannot match up to.
With a number of veterans hitting their stride and some young up-and-comers fighting their way into contention, the UFC bantamweight division is rapidly becoming a ground for some of the most intriguing MMA action there is. The prevailing question is: Can the field catch up with those currently sporting gold?
Here, we assess the UFC bantamweight class’ current landscape and examine the title aspirations of each of the division’s top 10 fighters, as ranked by the UFC.
Each contender has been tagged with a probability that identifies the likelihood of them ever gaining the strap. That probability is based on a number of factors, including ability, age and current station within the division.
Read on to see who is most likely to adorn bantamweight gold before they call it quits.