Top 5 UFC bantamweight fights of 2021

#4. Marlon Moraes vs. Merab Dvalishvili – UFC 266

UFC 266: Moraes v Dvalishvili

Another bantamweight fight that belongs on this list is Merab Dvalishvili vs. Marlon Moraes. The bout headlined the prelims for UFC 266 and featured a wild sequence in the first round.

Moraes came out and landed powerful leg-kicks, which led to Dvalishvili taking him down. Moraes got back to his feet and dropped him with a left hook, and followed it up with a flurry of strikes. Even after Dvalishvili recovered, Moraes continued pouring on the strikes, but was still unable to finish him.

The resilient Dvalishvili then took Moraes down and landed an onslaught of hammer fists before the round came to a close.

In the second round, Dvalishvili picked up where he left off and connected with a right hand that stunned Moraes. He then continued controlling Moraes on the ground before picking up the TKO win following unanswered ground strikes.

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#3. T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen – UFC Vegas 32

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen v Dillashaw

Another bantamweight fight that belongs on this list is T.J. Dillashaw vs. Cory Sandhagen from UFC Vegas 32. Understandably, most of the talk in the leadup to the fight surrounded Dillashaw’s return to the octagon.

The former UFC bantamweight champion had been serving a two-year USADA suspension following his loss to Henry Cejudo. Many wondered how he’d perform after a long layoff from the sport and if there would be any rust.

Sandhagen was in top form after back-to-back highlight-reel knockouts of Moraes and Frankie Edgar. His movements and creative offense caused a lot of problems for Dillashaw, who had a deep cut on his right eyebrow.

The fight went the distance and there was plenty of controversy as Dillashaw was awarded the split-decision win. Many felt Sandhagen won the fight based on his significant strikes. Dillashaw did control him on the fence and the ground, so that was likely the deciding factor.