Bantamweight Contenders

[Twomey04]

The Bantanweight division is one of the most exciting divisions and I'm really looking forward to seeing who will be contending for the belt near year end.
I'm really looking forward to the Almeida vs Garbrandt fight and I'm happy they got a main event to showcase their skills. Also hoping Sterling and McDonald can get done and I see that being another great match up. I see Almeida vs Sterling happening this year in a title eliminator, with Sterling taking the win.
Who do you think will make the most noise this year at Bantamweight?

Michael McDonald
Thomas Almeida
Aljamain Sterling
Cody Garbrandt
Jimmie Rivera (Dark horse)

 

[emog1]

Almeida will ktfo Cody and challenge Cruz or TJ after end of the year

 

[Drake]

I think Sterling has the best chance at having the most success right now. Followed by Rivera or Mayday.

 

[Selukrid612]

I'm not as high on these guys as others seem to be. I think Sterling is done climbing the rankings until he develops his striking more and Almeida is still really wild. I've also given up on McDonald, he doesn't seem to be improving. Sterling would maul him.

 

[bbradt0232]

Almeida. Undefeated champ by 2017

 

[bambammccoy]

Chris Holdsworth and John Liniker also.

Dodson is back at BW aswell.

 

[Steveston]

I think John Dodson is going to tear up the Division when he returns to Bantamweight.
Also Bryan Caraway should not be underestimated.
I might get some flack for saying this but as much as I like Rivera I think his height disadvantage will soon to start to play a factor as he climbs the ranks.

 

[bambammccoy]

It is so cool to see Rivera come into the UFC on absolute fire since his awesome fight with Bermudez on TUF 14.

Sucked to see him lose but that loss has improved him more than I could have expected.

Awesome fighter, very entertaining, and is still pretty young.

 

[AJ Garcia]

Sterling doesn't seem very comfortable striking so that's something he's gonna need to work on. Cruz and DJ are more known for their striking these days, but they both have the best wrestling in the division to go with their striking. Sterling would be a sitting duck against them.

 

[Drake]

I'm not as high on these guys as others seem to be. I think Sterling is done climbing the rankings until he develops his striking more and Almeida is still really wild. I've also given up on McDonald, he doesn't seem to be improving. Sterling would maul him.

I'd say give McDonald another fight to make a fair prediction. That was his first fight in what? Two years?

 

[beefcake180]

can't sleep on Pedro munhoz either. His fight with Rivera was razor thin and he gave Assuncao a good fight early in his career on short notice.

The contenders in the division really are amazing though. Great stuff.

 

[Peyow]

When is Assuncao back?