Women’s Bantamweight
1. Ronda Rousey (9-0)
The world’s best pound-for-pound female fighter showed a new wrinkle to her game in defending her title at UFC 170. After eight straight armbar victories, Rousey scored her first knockout by dropping fellow Olympian Sarah McMann with a nasty knee to the liver just 66 seconds into the bout. Despite many out-of-the-Octagon obligations, Rousey returns to defend her title at UFC 175 against Alexis Davis.2. Alexis Davis (16-5)
Davis extended her winning streak to five straight with a gritty -- if somewhat controversial -- split decision over Jessica Eye in the featured prelim of UFC 170. The “Ally-gator” has been rewarded for her work with a title shot against Ronda Rousey, whom she will face on July 5 at UFC 175.3. Cat Zingano (8-0)
Despite her status as the UFC’s official No. 1 contender, Zingano has been kept away from the cage for nearly a year due to serious injury and personal tragedy. With Ronda Rousey booked for a summer showdown with Alexis Davis, “Alpha” could be looking at a different opponent when she steps back into the Octagon.4. Sara McMann (7-1)
McMann was touted as Ronda Rousey’s toughest test to date, but that notion evaporated quickly when a knee to the liver folded the Olympic silver medalist in just 66 seconds at UFC 170. Still, with her wrestling pedigree, McMann is serious threat to any woman at 135 pounds.5. Miesha Tate (14-5)
It took three tries, but Tate earned her first Octagon triumph at the expense of Liz Carmouche at UFC on Fox 11 in Orlando. “Cupcake” started slowly, but more aggressive striking and an active submission game allowed the former Strikeforce champion to turn the corner in the second half of the bout and capture a unanimous verdict. Tate’s next bout will come in Japan, where she will locks horns with Queen of Pancrase -- and YouTube curiosity -- Rin Nakai at a UFC Fight Night event on Sept. 20.6. Sarah Kaufman (17-2, 1 NC)
Kaufman put on a striking clinic against Leslie Smith to garner her first UFC triumph at “The Ultimate Fighter Nations” Finale. The ex-Strikeforce titlist overwhelmed Smith with volume and accuracy over the course of their three-round encounter, landing multi-punch combinations, knees to the body and kicks to the legs en route to recording a unanimous verdict.7. Jessica Eye (10-2, 1 NC)
February was a bad month for “Evil” Eye. First, the 27-year-old Ohioan had the biggest win of her career erased when the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation revealed that Eye tested positive for marijuana metabolites following her October bout with Sarah Kaufman. Eye was still allowed to face Alexis Davis at UFC 170 but wound up on the wrong end of a questionable split decision.8. Lauren Murphy (8-0)
Murphy has defeated all comers in the Invicta Fighting Championships bantamweight division, outlasting Miriam Nakamoto in December to become the promotion’s inaugural 135-pound titleholder. Murphy remains without an opponent for her first defense, as Invicta has yet to announce an event for 2014.9. Liz Carmouche (9-5)
Rumored to be nursing an injury heading into her UFC on Fox 11 clash with Miesha Tate, “Girl-rilla” nonetheless did a decent job of controlling her foe through takedowns and wrestling in the early going. However, Tate gradually asserted herself down the stretch to hand Carmouche her third loss in four UFC appearances.10. Jessica Andrade (11-3)
In securing her second straight Octagon win at UFC 171, Andrade showed exactly why she is one of the women’s bantamweight division’s most exciting young prospects. The 22-year-old Brazilian used nonstop aggression and heavy punches to overwhelm Raquel Pennington for the better part of two rounds, earning Andrade a split decision.Other Contenders: Bethe Correia, Tonya Evinger, Holly Holm, Rin Nakai, Amanda Nunes.