One of bantamweight's top title contenders is back on his feet after successful ankle surgery, but he won't be making his return to the cage until next year.
Bantamweight is not a happy place when it comes to active fighters at the very top of the division. Other than T.J. Dillashaw and former champion Renan Barao, there's just not a lot shaking in the top 5. Dominick Cruz is still "recovering," Michael McDonald is still MIA, and Urijah Faber is kicking around the featherweight ranks. Aljamain Sterling and Thomas Almeida are on the rise but not quite in title contention yet.