A New Era For The UFC Bantamweight Division?

A New Era For The UFC Bantamweight Division?  

By Jack Maher 

On Wednesday morning UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw announced that USADA and NYSAC had informed him of an “adverse finding” from a drug test taken from his last fight with Henry Cejudo on the 19th of January earlier this year. No word has yet been given on what the banned substance was, but Dillashw has voluntarily relinquished his bantamweight title while the investigation carries out.

Dillashaw’s statement on the matter read

“Too all my fans, I wanted to be the first one to let you that USADA and the NYSAC have informed me of an adverse finding in a test taken from my last fight. While words can’t even begin to express how disappointed I am at this time, please know that I’m working with my team to understand what has occurred and how to resolve this situation as quickly as possible. Out of fairness and respect to the rest of my division, I’ve informed the UFC that I’ll be voluntarily relinquishing my title while I deal with this matter. I want to thank all of you in advance for the support.”

Dillashaw has been suspended for one year by The NYSAC, but USADA are yet to sanction him. Dillashaw’s statement said that the failed drugs test is in regard to his fight with Cejudo in January, so a 1-year suspension would likely start from then, leaving Dillashaw on the side-lines untill January of next year.

It is now expected that the UFC will put the vacant title up for grabs, especially since the UFC posted a graphic on Instagram and Twitter that featured Aljamain Sterling, Marlon Moraes, Henry Cejudo and Pedro Munhoz, captioned “Who got next?”

One would expect Marlon Moraes to feature in a vacant 135 pound title fight if one takes place, as ‘Magic’ is ranked number 1 in the bantamweight division, and the former World Series Of Fighting champion is on a 4-fight win streak and 4-1 in the organisation overall. After losing his UFC debut against Raphael Assuncao in a close decision, Moraes has embarked on a 4-fight win streak that has seen him beat John Dodson by decision, KO fellow contenders Aljamain Sterling and Jimmie Rivera, and submit old foe Raphael Assuncao in the main event of UFC On ESPN + 2.

UFC flyweight champion Henry Cejudo will also feel he is deserving of a chance to fight for the bantamweight crown, as he is the last man to beat Dillashaw, albeit at flyweight, stopping him in the first round of their fight in January. Given that the UFC’S flyweight division appears to be in its final days, and also taking in Cejudo’s past struggles to make the 125 pound limit, Cejudo’s return to bantamweight is likely a case of when and not if, although the UFC may choose to have him defend his flyweight title first.

Sterling and Munhoz are two bantamweight contenders that have done a brilliant job of climbing the rankings in the past 12 months, as they are both on 3-fight win streaks and are ranked number 3 and 4 respectively.

Aljamain is an established name in the division, but has a first round knockout loss to Moraes, which may make the UFC hesitant to book a rematch at this point, while Munhoz is coming off the back of the biggest win of his UFC career with a first round stoppage win over former champion Cody Garbrandt, a fight that earned him a Fight Of The Night Bonus.

At this point it is unclear who the UFC will book to fight for the vacant title, but Dillashaw’s suspension, Cody Garbrandt’s 3 fight losing streak and Dominick Cruz’s injury woes may be signalling a changing of the guard at bantamweight, ushering in a new era for the 135 pound division.