Women’s Strawweight
1. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (12-0)
Never mind their history as amateurs. With a Jedrzejczyk- Karolina Kowalkiewicz showdown on deck, a major stage was called for. Not only do you have two undefeated Polish women involved, but their clash will be looked at as the most significant fight in the history of the 115-pound division. Even if it seemed such a fight was bound for their native Poland, this iconic women’s strawweight battle found an even more suitable stage: Jedrzejczyk’s fourth UFC title defense will now come on Nov. 12, when the UFC hits Madison Square Garden for UFC 205.2. Claudia Gadelha (13-2)
With two losses to UFC champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the last two years, it is going to be a tough road for Gadelha to get back into title contention. Nonetheless, the Brazilian’s work toward that goal starts on Nov. 19, when the UFC heads back to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and she takes on savvy striker Cortney Casey.3. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-0)
Through her 10-fight pro career, no one has beaten Kowalkiewicz, including Randa Markos, Heather Clark and Rose Namajunas inside the Octagon. However, once upon a time as an amateur, back in March 2002, Kowalkiewicz was choked out by one Joanna Jedrzejczyk in their native Poland. Now, Kowalkiewicz has the grandest stage possible to avenge that loss, as she meets her fellow undefeated Jedrzejczyk for the women’s strawweight title at UFC 205 on Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.4. Carla Esparza (11-3)
Returning from a 13-month layoff brought about by shoulder surgery, Esparza got back in the swing of things with a dull but dominant decision win against Brazilian Juliana Lima at UFC 197 on April 23. It was the first bout for “Cookie Monster” since dropping her UFC strawweight title to Joanna Jedrzejczyk in March 2015.5. Rose Namajunas (5-3)
Namajunas entered her UFC 201 co-main event bout with Karolina Kowalkiewicz as a healthy favorite. A win would have earned her a second crack at UFC strawweight gold, likely lining up a showdown with 115-pound queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Instead, despite a fast start from Namajunas, the crafty clinch work of Kowalkiewicz earned her a split decision win and highlighted some of the wrinkles the still-developing 24-year-old has to iron out of her game.6. Tecia Torres (7-1)
Four months after putting on the most dominant performance of her young career, Torres came up short in an April 16 rematch against fellow “Ultimate Fighter” alum Rose Namajunas. The decision defeat put the first official blemish on Torres’ record, though “The Tiny Tornado” suffered exhibition losses to Carla Esparza and Randa Markos during her time on the reality series.7. Jessica Andrade (15-5)
Jessica Andrade was a competitive UFC bantamweight, but since dropping 20 pounds to the 115-pound division, the Brazilian has looked unstoppable. After savaging former UFC title contender Jessica Penne in June, Andrade made short work of divisional standout Joanne Calderwood at UFC 203, guillotine choking her in the first round and establishing herself as a major threat in the strawweight division.8. Valerie Letourneau (8-5)
Given her struggles to make 115 pounds, Letourneau’s bout with Joanne Calderwood in June seemed like a gift but turned nightmarish in a hurry, as she was brutally dispatched on the feet by the Scottish striker. Letourneau will return to 115 pounds to face recent Brazilian signing Poliana Botelho at UFC 206 on Dec. 10 in Toronto.9. Maryna Moroz (8-1)
Moroz was lined up for a fight with unbeaten Justine Kish at the UFC Fight Night card on Aug. 6 in Salt Lake City, but an injury to Kish resulted in Moroz facing newcomer Danielle Taylor on short notice. Moroz won a split decision over the little-known Taylor, but the 15-minute fight was difficult to watch, with both women mostly swinging at air in a bout that never really got going.10. Angela Hill (5-2)
Hill captured the Invicta Fighting Championships strawweight title from Livia Renata Souza on May 7, surviving multiple submission attempts to outwork the Brazilian on the feet across 25 minutes. Since exiting the UFC in late 2015, “Overkill” has rattled off three straight wins -- including two nasty knockouts -- and showcased an ever-improving MMA game.Other Contenders: Joanne Calderwood, Cortney Casey, Alexa Grasso, Livia Renata Souza, Polyana Viana Mota