While other divisions’ belts are on the line in UFC’s first two events of the year, the bantamweight division has some critical fights as the 135-pound contenders jockey for pole position after Petr Yan wrested the title away from Merab Dvalishvili to close out 2025.
While the hyperactive Dvalishvili competed four times last year, it was “No Mercy” who ended the year with the belt around his waist. If a trilogy fight isn’t imminent, a few top-tier bantamweights can make a statement and slide into the challenger spot.
The first couple of important bouts come at UFC’s first card of the year in Las Vegas.