Chael Sonnen Says There’s Something Funny Going on in UFC’s 135-Pound Bantamweight Division

Published 01/14/2021, 11:06 PM EST

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The bantamweight division of the UFC is as stacked as ever. There are upcoming contenders and legends of the sport, all eyeing a shot at the champion Petr Yan.

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Aljamain Sterling will fight ‘No Mercy’ at UFC 259 for the belt. Meanwhile, Cory Sandhagen, Jose Aldo, and the returning TJ Dillashaw are all waiting to have a crack at the 135 lbs gold. This logjam led to former UFC fighter, Chael Sonnen, opening up on the current landscape of the division.

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Let’s take a closer look in this division. Because there’s something very fugazi about the bantamweight. There’s something that hasn’t smelled right or looked right for about 8 months now. If I was to take you back, we were told extremely clearly, the winner of Sandhagen and Aljo will challenge for the title against the winner of Yan vs Aldo.

Nothing happened, Yan becomes the champion. Nothing still happens… The night Sandhagen went out, had the wheel kick, got the big victory, Sandhagen did follow his own division enough to know that was what was brewing. He took the microphone and said that the next shot goes to Aljo and I will wait my turn,” started “The Bad Guy.”

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TJ is coming back. TJ is under the impression that he may right back into a world title fight. I fully agree with you. I don’t know if that needs to happen. All roads that happened to Dillashaw have got to lead straight into Urijah Faber’s driveway,” Sonnen added.

Something funny is going on at 135,” Sonnen concluded.

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Chael Sonnen is right in his analysis

While Aljamain Sterling will get the title shot next, Cory Sandhagen is waiting for his turn and Rob Font is on the rise. Urijah Faber has teased a potential comeback, and Jose Aldo has just defeated Marlon Vera. Former champions TJ Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt are in the mix as well. Then there is a bright prospect like Sean O’Malley.

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Bantamweight is a mess right now, in every sense. And that’s in a good way, as many believe it is currently the most intriguing division in the UFC. It’s been a long time since the 135 lbs division has been stacked like this with a row of killers.

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What do you make of yet another excellent assessment from Sonnen? Do you find it funny too?

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Written by:

Apratim Banerjee

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Apratim Banerjee is an MMA author for EssentiallySports and has been writing professionally for almost a year. Before his current gig, Apratim worked as a UFC writer for Sportskeeda. A long-time MMA fan, Apratim has developed a critical eye for the sport that has helped him transfer his vast knowledge to his copies and give hardcore and casual readers a detailed insight into the fights and fighters.
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