5 Greatest UFC Bantamweight Championship Fights 

R. Nath
UFC 207: Cruz v Garbrandt
UFC 207: Cruz v Garbrandt

At the end of December 2010, Dominick Cruz reigned as WEC Bantamweight Champion. Since that period collided with the WEC's merger with UFC, the Bantamweight division was introduced, and Dominick Cruz was given the UFC Bantamweight Championship, similar to how Jose Aldo was awarded the UFC Featherweight Championship, and Ronda Rousey the Women's Bantamweight Championship.

Cruz would reign as champion until early 2014, where he would be forced to vacate it due to injuries. The introduction of the Bantamweight division was one of the best things that happened to the UFC from a business standpoint. The division has seen stars like Cruz, Urijah Faber, TJ Dillashaw, Renan Barao and even Demetrious Johnson at one point.

The Bantamweights never had to go through the "neglected" treatment that the Flyweights had to. The stars have helped build and represent the so-called "smaller guys", and they've proven that having a "smaller" frame doesn't withhold you from being a world-class fighter.

We've seen some all-time great fights, and we take a look at the five strongest and greatest title bouts in UFC Men's Bantamweight history.


#5 Dominick Cruz (c) vs Demetrious Johnson - UFC Live: October 1st, 2011

DJ after this fight would have one draw then go on the hottest winning streak, eventually having a record-breaking championship reign
DJ after this fight would have one draw then go on the hottest winning streak, eventually having a record-breaking championship reign

It's incredible to think that prior to his unforgettable run as Flyweight Champion, Demetrious Johnson fought among the Bantamweight elite. In fact, DJ had only one loss on his record prior to Cruz.

They main evented UFC Live in Washington DC and put on an absolute clinic. This was a dream fight even then, and the two gave everything they had, with Cruz outpointing Mighty Mouse to get a relatively comfortable decision victory.

Putting aside Cruz's health in the last many years, this would definitely be a fight that fans would love to revisit. DJ after this fight would have one draw then go on the hottest winning streak, eventually having a record-breaking championship reign.

#4 Dominick Cruz (c) vs Urijah Faber - UFC 132

Cruz had failed to capture the WEC Featherweight Championship from Faber back in 2007, as The California Kid submitted a relatively inexperienced Cruz within one round
Cruz had failed to capture the WEC Featherweight Championship from Faber back in 2007, as The California Kid submitted a relatively inexperienced Cruz within one round

Dominick Cruz's only career loss prior to his UFC 132 bout was against none other than Urijah Faber himself. Cruz had failed to capture the WEC Featherweight Championship from Faber back in 2007, as The California Kid submitted a relatively inexperienced Cruz within one round.

Cruz had grown a lot as a fighter since then, and his first defence of the UFC Bantamweight championship was against Faber. With a chance at redemption, Cruz proved to be the more improved fighter, as he comfortably dominated and defeated Faber for a unanimous decision victory.


#3 Dominick Cruz (c) vs Cody Garbrandt - UFC 207

UFC 207: Cruz v Garbrandt
UFC 207: Cruz v Garbrandt

Dominick Cruz vs Cody Garbrandt was the continuation of the Cruz vs Team Alpha Male story. With Faber having failed to knock off Cruz, the up-and-coming Cody Garbrandt showed promise, earning a title shot against Cruz.

Prior to the fight, it looked like Cruz was in Garbrandt's head, but what played out in the fight couldn't have been any more different. Cruz is known to have elite footwork, but Garbrandt outperformed him in every aspect of the fight.

In fact, Garbrandt looked so comfortable that he even showboated and danced around a bit. He would go on to dominate Cruz and win via a comfortable decision victory, dethroning Cruz in his second title reign.

#2 Renan Barao vs TJ Dillashaw

Dillashaw would put on one of the most one-sided performances in UFC history, destroying Barao and finishing him the fifth round
Dillashaw would put on one of the most one-sided performances in UFC history, destroying Barao and finishing him the fifth round

Renan Barao was on a 32-fight win streak before his clash against TJ Dillashaw. You read that right. Thanks in part to his and Barao defending the interim title on multiple occasions, Dillashaw wasn't given much of a chance to beat Barao.

What happened, however, was far more surprising. Dillashaw would put on one of the most one-sided performances in UFC history, destroying Barao and finishing him the fifth round.

They would have a rematch over a year later, and Dillashaw's performance would be even more one-sided, as he knocked Barao out in the fourth round.


#1 TJ Dillashaw (c) vs Dominick Cruz - UFC Fight Night 81

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The story marked Cruz's spectacular return from injury and he would have one of the closest fights ever with Dillashaw

Dillashaw had two successful title defences before facing the man that never lost the title in the first place - Dominick Cruz. The story marked Cruz's spectacular return from injury and he would have one of the closest fights ever with Dillashaw.

The decision could have gone either way, but it ended up being a split decision for Cruz. This fight was an instant classic, as Cruz reclaimed the throne.


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Edited by Nishant Jayaram