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

The bantamweight rankings have had a slight shakeup in the past month, as Michael McDonald took on Miguel Torres at UFC 145, and the Bellator bantamweight title was on the line between Zach Makovsky and Eduardo Dantas.

Dantas and McDonald came out on top in those matchups, so they were sure to move around in the top 10.

How did that impact them, and how did it impact everyone else?

Check out the official B/R bantamweight rankings for May.

 

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.

10. Miguel Torres

Promotion: UFC

Record: 40-5

Most Recent Fight: KO loss to Michael McDonald at UFC 145

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 6

Miguel Torres has not had the best of luck since coming to the UFC.

He was a former WEC champion, but since the transfer to the UFC, he has gone 2-2 with losses to Demetrious Johnson and now, Michael McDonald.

He will likely return against an up-and-comer in the bantamweight division.

No. 9: Bibiano Fernandes

Promotion: DREAM

Record: 11-3

Most Recent Fight: TKO victory over Antonio Banuelos at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 10

Bibiano Fernandes is the current DREAM bantamweight champion and the DREAM bantamweight grand prix.

He is 11-3 in his career, and has notable wins over Antonio Banuelos and Joe Warren.

No. 8: Eduardo Dantas

Promotion: Bellator

Record: 14-2

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Zach Makovsky at Bellator 65

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: N/A

Eduardo Dantas is the newly crowned Bellator bantamweight champion.

He won the title just a few weeks ago when he defeated Zach Makovsky by submission with an arm triangle choke.

Overall, he has eight finishes in his career, and has only legitimately lost once.

No. 7: Brad Pickett

Promotion: UFC

Record: 21-6

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Damacio Page at UFC on Fuel 2

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 8

Brad Pickett got back on the winning track with his submission over Damacio Page at UFC on Fuel 2. Prior to that, he had dropped a fight to Renan Barao.

Pickett should get a fight with a big-name fighter next.

No. 6: Scott Jorgensen

Promotion: UFC

Record: 13-5

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Renan Barao at UFC 143

Next Fight: Eddie Wineland at UFC on FX 3

Previous Ranking: 5

Scott Jorgensen took a bit of a drop after his loss to Renan Barao at UFC 143, but he'll be looking to rebound in his next fight and prove he is a top bantamweight.

Since joining the UFC, Jorgensen is 2-1, and he went 7-3—including a title shot—in his WEC days.

No. 5: Michael McDonald

Promotion: UFC

Record: 15-1

Most Recent Fight: KO victory over Miguel Torres at UFC 145

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 7

Michael McDonald is the biggest bantamweight winner this month, as his knockout of Miguel Torres proved that he is a top contender in the division.

McDonald is now in contention for a shot at Urijah Faber with the injury to Dominick Cruz.

No. 4: Brian Bowles

Promotion: UFC

Record: 10-2

Most Recent Fight: Submission loss to Urijah Faber at UFC 139

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 4

Brian Bowles keeps his No. 4 spot, as his history and record was enough to keep him ahead of McDonald in the rankings.

Bowles is a former WEC bantamweight champ, and he lost the title to Dominick Cruz when he broke his hand and was unable to continue.

No. 3: Renan Barao

Promotion: UFC

Record: 28-1 [1 NC]

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Scott Jorgensen at UFC 143

Next Fight: Ivan Menjivar at UFC 148

Previous Ranking: 3

Renan Barao is another fighter in contention for a shot at Urijah Faber with the news of the injury to Dominick Cruz.

Barao's last fight saw him earn a unanimous decision over Scott Jorgensen, and prove that he is one of the best bantamweights in the world.

No. 2: Urijah Faber

Promotion: UFC

Record: 26-5

Most Recent Fight: Submission victory over Brian Bowles at UFC 139

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 2

Urijah Faber is undoubtedly the No. 2 bantamweight in the world, but he won't be getting his shot at the official title anytime soon.

He will remain a coach on The Ultimate Fighter, but his opponent when the season is over remains to be seen.

No. 1: Dominick Cruz

Promotion: UFC

Record: 19-1

Most Recent Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Demetrious Johnson at UFC on Versus 6

Next Fight: N/A

Previous Ranking: 1

The champ got bad news on May 7, as he tore his ACL and was forced out of his UFC 148 matchup with Urijah Faber.

Cruz will likely have to sit for several months to rehab the injury, and in the meantime, we'll be wishing him a speedy recovery so we can see him and Faber settle their trilogy.

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow him on twitter @TimMcTiernan.