Women’s Bantamweight
1. Amanda Nunes (13-4)
With Ronda Rousey’s yearlong absence from the UFC and the musical chairs atop the women’s 135-pound weight class, it seemed a foregone conclusion that whatever woman wanted to put her stamp on the division would ultimately need to have a showdown with Rousey. This has come to pass, as Nunes will stake her UFC title for the first time in the biggest bout of her career, welcoming the “Rowdy” one back to the Octagon at UFC 207 on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas.2. Valentina Shevchenko (13-2)
There were hopes for a Shevchenko-Julianna Pena showdown at UFC 205 on Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden. Shevchenko was hip to the cause, but the surging Pena claims she never agreed to the fight and is content to lobby for a title shot. Unless something changes, Shevchenko will need a new potential dance partner as she seeks to earn her own UFC title bid; frankly, “Bullet” is not exactly a woman anyone is clamoring to fight.3. Holly Holm (10-2)
How quickly fortunes change. A year ago at this time, Holm had just head kicked Ronda Rousey into oblivion. In that span, Holm has gone from mainstream media sensation to dethroned champ, courtesy of Miesha Tate in March. Now, she is just another contender after dropping a unanimous verdict to Valentina Shevchenko in the UFC on Fox 20 headliner in Chicago. With that said, Holm drew an impressive rating on Fox due to her exploits against Rousey, and there are still plenty of fights for the 35-year-old former boxing world champ, as she has had all of five bouts in the Octagon.4. Ronda Rousey (12-1)
It always seemed like a foregone conclusion that Rousey would get an immediate title shot whenever she returned from her devastating knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193. Unsurprisingly, that is exactly what has happened: Rousey returns to action at UFC 207 on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, challenging newly minted champion Amanda Nunes for the title she once held in what could prove to be a career-defining bout.5. Julianna Pena (8-2)
Following her return from a gruesome knee injury, Pena has beaten Cat Zingano, Jessica Eye and Milana Dudieva and put herself in firm UFC title contention. While the UFC’s hope was to pair her with fellow rising contender Valentina Shevchenko, “The Venezuelan Vixen” is exercising her right to hold out in hopes of grabbing an eventual title shot.6. Raquel Pennington (9-5)
A modern example of the MMA throwback philosophy of learning on the job, Pennington came off of “The Ultimate Fighter” with a 3-3 pro MMA record. Since then, “Rocky” has gone 6-2 in the Octagon, including a four-fight winning streak that now features former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate. Pennington pounded on Tate for 15 minutes at UFC 205, claiming the biggest win of her pro career.7. Cat Zingano (9-2)
Back from a 16-month absence, Zingano is now eligible to be ranked again, but the former UFC title challenger did not return on a positive note. Though “Alpha” started quickly against Julianna Pena at UFC 200, she could not keep up her wrestling attack, giving up her back in the second and third rounds, fending off rear-naked chokes until the final bell and losing a unanimous decision.8. Sara McMann (9-3)
Despite a much-needed win over Jessica Eye in May, McMann is still 2-3 in her last five UFC bouts. In her next outing on Dec. 3, the Olympic silver medalist will take on fellow former UFC title challenger Alexis Davis. A win seems imperative in order for McMann to keep pace at 135 pounds.9. Liz Carmouche (11-5)
Injuries have largely derailed Carmouche since her April 2014 loss to Miesha Tate, with the former UFC title challenger getting in just two bouts in the last 30 months. Nonetheless, Carmouche returned to form at UFC 205, grinding out a split decision over Katlyn Chookagian and overcoming some sticky situations on the feet.10. Yana Kunitskaya (10-2)
It was not without controversy due to referee Mike England’s lamentable handling of the fight-ending sequence, but Kunitskaya has vaulted out of obscurity to become the Invicta Fighting Championships bantamweight titleholder. The Russian was a +500 underdog headed into her battle with Tonya Evinger on Nov. 18, but with a slick armbar and the benefit of some questionable officiating, she became the new 135-pound ace in less than two minutes.Other Contenders: Katlyn Chookagian, Germaine de Randamie, Ashlee Evans-Smith, Tonya Evinger, Lauren Murphy
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