Bantamweight: Petr Yan Leads Elo Ratings

In the highly competitive Bantamweight division, our internal Elo rating system provides a dynamic look at fighter performance. This statistic measures a fighter's skill level based purely on their UFC fight results. Every fighter begins with a base rating of 1000 points. Points are gained for wins and lost for losses, with the amount adjusted by the opponent's rating – defeating a higher-rated opponent yields more points, while losing to a lower-rated one results in a greater point deduction. For this analysis, only fighters with at least three UFC fights in the last two years were included, resulting in 75 qualified fighters out of 264 on record in this group.

The Top Contenders by Elo

Leading the Bantamweight Elo ratings is Petr Yan, with a score of 1195. Yan has a UFC record of 12-4 across 16 UFC fights. His last fight was on 06 Dec 2025, and he is currently booked to face Merab Dvalishvili on 2026-10-24. His high rating reflects consistent performance against a strong field of opponents in the division.

Just one point behind Yan is Merab Dvalishvili, holding an Elo rating of 1194. Dvalishvili's UFC record stands at 14-3 over 17 UFC fights. Like Yan, his last fight was on 06 Dec 2025, and he is set to meet Yan in their upcoming bout. The minimal difference in their ratings highlights their closely matched performance levels within the division, making their scheduled fight a clash between the top two rated fighters.

Sean O'Malley occupies the third spot with an Elo rating of 1160. He has a UFC record of 12-3 from 15 UFC fights, with his most recent appearance on 14 Jun 2026. There is a notable gap of 34 points between O'Malley and Dvalishvili, indicating a slight difference in their cumulative performance against their respective opponents.

Following closely is Song Yadong, rated at 1159. With a UFC record of 13-4 over 17 UFC fights, Yadong last competed on 29 Aug 2026. His rating is only one point shy of O'Malley's, suggesting a very similar performance trajectory in the division. Montel Jackson rounds out the top five with an Elo rating of 1145. Jackson holds a UFC record of 10-4 from 14 UFC fights, and his last fight was on 26 Sep 2026.

The Rest of the Top Ten

Mario Bautista and Marlon Vera share the sixth spot, both with an Elo rating of 1142. Bautista has a UFC record of 12-3 from 15 UFC fights, last fighting on 11 Jul 2026. Vera, with a record of 16-11, stands out for having competed in 27 UFC fights, the highest number among the top ten, with his last fight on 19 Sep 2026. His rating, built over a significantly larger number of bouts, indicates sustained performance over an extended period.

Umar Nurmagomedov is rated 1117, holding a UFC record of 8-2 from 10 UFC fights. His last fight was on 29 Aug 2026. His rating, achieved with fewer fights than many others in the top ten, suggests a strong start to his UFC career. Cory Sandhagen is next with an Elo rating of 1111, from a UFC record of 11-6 across 17 UFC fights, last competing on 11 Jul 2026. Finally, Bryce Mitchell completes the top ten with an Elo rating of 1106, with a UFC record of 10-3 over 13 UFC fights, last seen in action on 06 Jun 2026.

It is important to note that this Elo rating system is based solely on UFC fight results, and does not account for fights outside the organization. The proximity of Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili at the top of this list underscores their current standing in the Bantamweight division according to our metrics.

Bantamweight — highest elo rating now

Fighter	Elo	UFC fights
1. Petr Yan	1195	16 fights
2. Merab Dvalishvili	1194	17 fights
3. Sean O'Malley	1160	15 fights
4. Song Yadong	1159	17 fights
5. Montel Jackson	1145	14 fights
6. Mario Bautista	1142	15 fights
7. Marlon Vera	1142	27 fights
8. Umar Nurmagomedov	1117	10 fights
9. Cory Sandhagen	1111	17 fights
10. Bryce Mitchell	1106	13 fights

Career statistics from UFC Stats; Elo is bjjmetrics' own rating from UFC results. Updated twice a day.

Follow bjjmetrics.com/ufc for more.