Who Is The Next UFC Bantamweight Challenger, Really?

Umar Nurmagomedov needs no introduction. He pushed Merab Dvalishvili to his limit when they fought, but ultimately, he dropped a decision. Since then, Nurmagomedov has remained busy, defeating Mario Bautista and Deiveson Figueiredo by decision. A third straight win should be deemed enough to secure a title shot, especially if it comes against Yan, whom he has yet to face.

Martinez, meanwhile, has had a fast rise in the rankings, going from Contenders Series to the divisional top 10 in the span of just four fights. Defeating a second former title challenger in a row will mark one of the fastest ascensions ever seen in recent memory and could catapult him to a title fight in short order.

Sean O’Malley/Aiemann Zahabi

If anyone said that Aiemann Zahabi would become a bantamweight contender in 2019, they would be laughed at. At the time, the younger brother of Tristar Gym head trainer Firas Zahabi had just suffered a second straight loss. Thus, it was likely that Aiemann would be released with another defeat and derided as one of the biggest nepotism signings in MMA history.

Zahabi, however, had other ideas. After taking 2020 off because of COVID-19, he knocked out an overweight Drako Rodriguez and has not looked back, winning fight after fight. The last two victims in that streak have been former featherweight champion Jose Aldo and former bantamweight challenger Marlon Vera, setting Zahabi up for a massive opportunity.

That event comes at UFC Freedom 250 against former 135-lb. king Sean O’Malley, who has been treading water since his second loss to Dvalishvili. If Zahabi wins that fight, he could find himself in a most improbable title fight at 38 years of age.

Conversely, Sean O’Malley breathed a sigh of relief when Yan stunningly dethroned Dvalishvili. He has a win over the current champion – a fight that many believe he actually lost. A rematch, should “Suga” turn back Zahabi, will certainly attract ratings.

Song Yadong/Cory Sandhagen

Now, onto two potential outsiders looking in.

Speaking of Song Yadong, he is coming off submitting Figueiredo in Macau this past Saturday. Losses to O’Malley, Yan, and Cory Sandhagen serve as obstacles to a title shot, but Yadong ideally should be a win or two away from contending.

Speaking of Sandhagen, he has a pivotal rematch against Mario Bautista on the horizon. When they first fought, Bautista was just a promotional newcomer, and he was armbarred early. Since then, however, he has developed into a contender in his own right, and he will now look to make it even against an old foe.

For Sandhagen, however, winning is more than remaining in the bantamweight Top Five. It is about getting closer to that lucrative rematch with either Yan or Dvalishvili and righting the wrongs of old.

End Of My UFC Bantamweight Rant

Right now, bantamweight is very competitive, as those fighters’ cases have shown.

That, however, is not to mention the prospects that are just bubbling under the Top 10. Payton Talbott and Raul Rosas Jr. are young prospects with bright futures if handled correctly, while former flyweight challenger Kai Asakura won in his divisional debut last Saturday.

Whomever one supports, things are looking bright at 135 lbs…