B/R MMA Official Rankings for February: Top 10 Bantamweights in MMA

Dominick Cruz (left) with Urijah Faber/ Scott Petersen for MMAWeekly.com

With the rise of the lighter weight classes inside the Octagon, divisions such as the bantamweights have now reached soaring heights, with Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber slowly trickling themselves into MMA consciousness.

The aforementioned dynamic duo will have a score to settle come later this year, though, they will first go head-to-head as coaches on Season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter.

Though Cruz and Faber are the most well-regarded men in the division, a batch of new contenders are quickly nipping at their heels.

These rankings are the combined efforts of some of Bleacher Report MMA's best writers, as we continue to try and provide you with the best content on the web.

 

Dominick Cruz (left) with Urijah Faber/ Scott Petersen for MMAWeekly.com

10. Bibiano Fernandes

Previous Ranking: 10

Promotion: DREAM

MMA Record: 11-3

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Antonio Banuelos at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

 

Bibiano Fernandes can take solace in the fact that he made history under the Dream banner as one of only two men who have been successful at capturing two Grand Prix titles in two different weight classes—the other being the world-renowned Gegard Mousasi. 

With an incredible run through the bantamweight field in 2011, Fernandes now sits pretty as the organization's 135-pound king, waiting for a rightful contender to challenge him for his crown. 

9. Eddie Wineland

Eddie Wineland; photo cred: MMAJunkie.com

Previous Ranking: 9

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 18-8-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated by Joseph Benavidez at UFC Live 5

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

 

The former WEC bantamweight champion has been off to a bad start since venturing inside the Octagon. Once regarded as a top contender in the 135-pound class, Wineland has now dropped two bouts back to back at the hands of Team Alpha Male teammates Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez.

Originally, Wineland was to face Demetrious Johnson at UFC on FX 2, though, "Mighty Mouse" was called to bigger and better things, not being part of the organization's first flyweight tournament.

Next, Wineland was pitted against The Ultimate Fighter veteran Johnny Bedford, though, Wineland, a native of Texas, has since bowed out due to injury.

Thus, his run of bad luck continues. 

8. Brad Pickett

Brad Pickett; photo cred: MMAWeekly.com

Previous Ranking: 9

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 20-6

Most Recent Fight: Defeated by Renan Barao at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: Damacio Page at UFC on Fuel TV 2, April 14

 

Though he may have earned "Fight of the Night" for his first-round thriller against Renan Barao, perennial contender Brad Pickett was still victimized by the powerful strikes of the Brazilian, who settled for the rear-naked choke finish.

Now Pickett will look to get back to his winning ways when he takes on the always tough Damacio Page, in a fight that promises to be all parts exciting this April. 

7. Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald; photo cred: MMAWeekly.com

Previous Ranking: 7

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 14-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Alex Soto at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: Miguel Torres at UFC 145, April 21

 

Bantamweight spitfire Michael McDonald will now be stepping up to the big leagues of the 135-pound class. In unarguably his toughest test to date, "Mayday" will now be pitted against former champion Miguel Torres.

The duo will meet at UFC 145 this April in Atlanta, where the winner will move one step closer towards a title shot. With his speed, athleticism and knockout power, McDonald stands a chance against most, including Torres, though, it won't be easy by any means. 

6. Miguel Torres

Miguel Torres; photo cred: MMAWeekly.com

Previous Ranking: 6

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 39-4

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Nick Pace at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: Michael McDonald at UFC 145, April 21

 

The returning Miguel Torres has now put his Twitter fiascoes behind him and will be taking on spitfire Michael McDonald. It's a stern test for Torres as he continues to cultivate his new fighting style that he's adopted while training with Firas Zahabi out of the Tristar gym in Montreal.

The former champion has won three of his last four bouts, with his lone loss coming from a highly controversial decision loss to Demetrious Johnson. Should he win his next outing against McDonald, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that Torres be next up at bat for UFC gold. 

5. Scott Jorgensen

Scott Jorgensen; photo cred: MMAWeekly.com

Previous Ranking: 4

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 13-4

Most Recent Fight: Loss to Renan Barao at UFC 143

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

 

After two back-to-back victories inside the Octagon, Jorgensen has finally tasted defeat. The momentum of "Young Guns" was halted by Renan Barao, a Nova Uniao product who has been unbeaten in his last 29 fights.

Jorgensen was outgunned and out-struck by the wily Brazilian, who has now used the victory over the former title challenger to spearhead himself towards the top of the division. 

4. Brian Bowles

Brian Bowles; photo cred: MMAWeekly.com

Previous Ranking: 3

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 10-2

Most Recent Fight: Defeated by Urijah Faber at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

 

Former bantamweight king Brian Bowles is still reeling from defeat.

In his last outing this past November, Bowles was outclassed by the speed and athleticism of Urijah Faber—who rocked and dropped the West Virginia native in the second before clinching the guillotine choke, yielding the submission in the process.

It was the first truly decisive loss of Bowles' career, and the Hardcore Gym product will now look to rebuild the pieces and start anew in 2012. 

3. Renan Barao

Renan Barao; photo cred: MMAWeekly.com

Previous Ranking: 5

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 29-1 (1 NC)

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Scott Jorgensen at UFC 143

Next Scheduled Fight: TBA

 

The surging Renan Barao is likely next in line for a shot at bantamweight gold.

After a dominant victory over contender Brad Pickett, the Nova Uniao product needed another impressive performance in order to secure his place in line at 135 pounds.

He did just that this past weekend at UFC 143, when he shutdown the powerful Scott Jorgensen, beating the former collegiate wrestler to the punch time and time again, eventually walking away with the clear-cut decision win. 

2. Urijah Faber

Urijah Faber; photo cred: MMAWeekly.com

Previous Ranking: 2

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 26-5

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Brian Bowles at UFC 139

Next Scheduled Fight: Dominick Cruz at TBA

 

After an emphatic victory over Brian Bowles last November, Urijah Faber has since been linked to rival Dominick Cruz once again.

Both Faber and Cruz will now serve as opposing coaches on Season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter, which kicks off this March on the FX network.

Both men will be training intermittently as the duo prepares for their clash this summer, though, no date has been solidified as of yet. 

1. Dominick Cruz

Dominick Cruz (right); photo cred: MMAWeekly.com

Previous Ranking: 1

Promotion: UFC

MMA Record: 19-1

Most Recent Fight: Defeated Demetrious Johnson at UFC Live 6

Next Scheduled Fight: Urijah Faber at TBA

 

Not only is Dominick Cruz far and away the best at 135 pounds, but the young fighter is also solidifying a legacy.

His recent victory over Demetrious Johnson has now been his fourth title defense in a row, which is now the most under the Zuffa banner for the bantamweight crown.

Victories over Ian McCall, Scott Jorgensen and Brian Bowles all anchor Cruz's list of accomplishments, though, no victory felt better than that of his win over rival Urijah Faber last July.

The duo now will meet as opposing coaches on Season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter, which will help anchor their rubber match for the summer.