Who Will Be UFC Bantamweight Champion At The End Of 2015?

The UFC’s bantamweight division has all of the sudden become one of the UFC’s most intriguing divisions. With a new champion on the rise and two former champs looking to regain the throne, 2015 should be an action-packed year at bantamweight.

The recent rise of the division started back at May’s UFC 173, where the belt was on the line between then-champion Renan Barao and TJ Dillashaw. Many were calling the “Baron” one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and he was a huge favorite over “The Viper”. However, Dillashaw was able to defy the odds and shock the world to claim the bantamweight title.

The two were scheduled for a rematch at August’s UFC 177, but Barao was forced out of the bout just 24 hours prior when he fell ill during his weight cut. He’s now scheduled to face off against Mitch Gagnon in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 58 on December 20 in Brazil. Many consider this to be a squash match for the former champ against the lesser known Gagnon, where a win would likely earn him another shot at the belt.

So who will reign atop the bantamweight division at this time next year?

It could be Dillashaw, or it could be Barao. However, there is also one other man who has a great chance at taking over the 135-pound weight class, and he’s been there before.

After spending nearly three years on the sidelines nursing numerous injuries, former champion Dominick Cruz was able to return to his superstar form when he dismantled highly ranked Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 178, earning himself the next shot at the belt that he technically never lost.

Dillashaw vs. Cruz will be a big fight when it takes place sometime early next year. It will pit two champions with very similar styles against one another to see if “The Viper” deserves to be champion or if Cruz should still hold that title.

Ironically enough, Dillashaw has recently emulated Cruz’s style of fighting to get where he is. Using excellent footwork and head movement paired with a great wrestling background like Cruz, Dillashaw has been able to see much success. But a very interesting question arises, would Dillashaw be able to beat “The Dominator” at his own game?

Part of me believes that the current champion has looked great as of late and has the potential to be champion for quite some time. But another part of me believes that the belt still belongs to Cruz and he is still the best 135-pounder on the planet. I think he will be able to play the game just a little bit better than Dillashaw, and I believe the experience of Cruz will play a factor here as well.

So if this goes as I described, Cruz will regain his title and likely face Barao if and when he gets past Gagnon. This fight is a no-brainer to me for one main reason: Dillashaw was able to dismantle the previously dominant Barao over five rounds, and in my mind Cruz is a slightly better version of Dillashaw. Therefore, I believe Cruz will have no problem beating Barao.

So as of now I will have to predict that come the end of 2015, Dominick Cruz will once again sit atop the division he once ruled. But am I 100 percent sold on the idea? Absolutely not.

I think there is little chance that Barao becomes champion again, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Dillashaw with the belt around his waist at the end of the year. For this to happen, he would have to beat Cruz, which although I may not see happening, I do not believe it is impossible. The Team Alpha Male Member is the real deal and if he brings his “A” game on fight night, there is a chance he beats “The Dominator.” Following this hypothetical win, I would predict that Dillshaw once again dismantles Barao in their awaited rematch.

It’s a tough one to call for me, but one thing is for sure, I cannot wait for what’s ahead for the UFC bantamweight division. Who do you see sporting UFC 135-pound gold at the end of next year?