5 biggest fights coming up in the UFC bantamweight division

#4. Petr Yan vs. Sean O'Malley

Petr Yan and Sean O'Malley (pictured) have a combined record of 31-4 (1 NC)

In terms of the anticipation surrounding this fight, you could argue it could be ranked at the number one spot. It is a incredibly interesting match-up featuring the former bantamweight champion, Petr Yan, in his return to action against one of the most popular fighters on the roster: Sean O'Malley. The pair will fight October 22 at UFC 280.

O'Malley has produced some highlight reel finishes during his time in the UFC and has described his only loss as a "freak accident." With that being said, he has never beaten anyone near the level of the No.1-ranked bantamweight in the UFC, with zero career wins over top ten opponents. If he is able to pull out a victory against Yan, he could very well find himself in line for a title shot.

Yan will also be in a good position to get back in the title picture with a win given how good he looked in both losses against current champion Aljamain Sterling. This fight is a must-see and only falls short of ranking higher because O'Malley is the only fighter outside the top ten to feature on this list.

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#3. Marlon 'Chito' Vera vs. Dominick Cruz

Marlon Vera and Dominick Cruz (pictured) have a combined record of 43-10-1

The main event this Saturday will see a huge clash between the No.5 and No.8-ranked fighters in the UFC bantamweight division. While whoever wins this match-up will likely need one more win to earn a title shot, the fight is hugely important to both men and should produce a great fight.

Dominick Cruz and his unique style always produce intriguing encounters inside the octagon. Given he is in the midst of what may be his last run at the title, a loss would likely put an end to his title aspirations. Marlon Vera is another entertaining striker, which is why you can be confident this bout will be a must-watch occasion.

Vera is on a three-fight winning streak that has earned him a spot in the top five. With that being said, he has struggled in the past when he's on the verge of entering the title picture, as fans saw when he lost to Jose Aldo.