Women’s Strawweight
1. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0)
Jessica Andrade figured to be Jedrzejczyk's toughest UFC title challenger to date at UFC 211, with her combination of punching power and submission skills. Instead, “Joanna Champion” shut down Andrade's powerhouse game from the get-go, outlanding her Brazilian counterpart by a wide margin to earn a 25-minute shutout and her fifth straight UFC title defense. Jedrzejczyk is now 8-0 in UFC competition and unquestionably the top woman in the sport.2. Claudia Gadelha (14-2)
She has beaten Cortney Casey since her second defeat to Joanna Jedrzejczyk, but Gadelha is still defined by her pair of losses to the UFC women’s strawweight champion. Her next opponent is an outstanding one and a fighter who can share her pain as it relates to losing to “Joanna Champion” twice: “Claudinha” will take on fellow former UFC title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz in a brilliant bout at UFC 212 on June 3 in Rio de Janeiro.3. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-1)
Kowalkiewicz could not avenge her 2012 amateur loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk and fell once again to her Polish countrywoman at UFC 205 in November. If Kowalkiewicz is ever going to get a second UFC title shot and a third crack at Jedrzejczyk, she will have to go through a woman who shares her similar circumstance with the 115-pound queen: Kowalkiewicz takes on Claudia Gadelha at UFC 212 come June 3 in Rio de Janeiro.4. Rose Namajunas (6-3)
One of the most exciting and charismatic women in the entire sport, Namajunas was pegged to be an MMA star the minute she flying armbarred Kathina Catron in Invicta Fighting Championships four years ago. As the 24-year-old continues to learn and develop despite consistently facing elite fighters in the best women's MMA division, those predictions are starting to come true. At UFC on Fox 24 on April 15, Namajunas blew away Michelle Waterson on network TV, head kicking “The Karate Hottie” before choking her out. “Thug Rose” is now 4-1 in her last five bouts, her lone loss coming via split decision to recent UFC title challenger and pound-for-pound entrant Karolina Kowalkiewicz.5. Jessica Andrade (16-6)
Andrade's impressive trio of wins over Jessica Penne, Joanne Calderwood and Angela Hill made her more than a deserving challenger for Joanna Jedrzejczyk headed into UFC 211 in Dallas on May 13. Yet in spite of Andrade's heavy hitting and submission savvy, “Joanna Champion” used her jab, leg kicks and combinations to batter the Brazilian en route to a clean sweep on the scorecards over 25 minutes, sending Andrade to the back of the line at 115 pounds.6. Tecia Torres (8-1)
Torres saw her first Octagon action in 10 months on Feb. 4 in Houston, and it was a thorough, consummate Torres-esque performance. For 15 minutes, Torres bested an overweight Bec Rawlings, both on the feet and in most other facets of the game, to win a tidy shutout decision. More importantly, before and after her victory, the “Tiny Tornado” discussed her desire to take time away from the cage to complete her master's degree in criminology, which is likely the next opponent for the formidable 27-year-old.7. Maryna Moroz (8-1)
Injuries and a dreadful recent outing in a victory against Danielle Taylor have slowed Moroz’s roll at 115 pounds. Nonetheless, her next time in the Octagon, the 25-year-old Ukrainian will take a notable assignment, as she faces first-ever UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza when the UFC returns to Oklahoma City on June 25.8. Angela Hill (6-3)
Hill used her first UFC release to rip off four straight wins, capture the Invicta strawweight title and earn a second trip to the Octagon. Though “Angie Overkill” lost a spirited, exciting decision to Jessica Andrade in February, it has only stoked the fire for fans who want to see more of the entertaining striker. Hill will take on Ashley Yoder at “The Ultimate Fighter 25” Finale on July 7.9. Livia Renata Souza (10-1)
Because the woman that took her Invicta strawweight title, Angela Hill, jumped back to the UFC, former champion Souza has been left fairly directionless. Will she fight for a vacant Invicta title? Will she head to the UFC? Her immediate future remains uncertain, but to her credit, Souza has found a way to pick up quality victories. She destroyed Invicta 105-pound champ Ayaka Hamasaki on March 25, knocking her out in less than two minutes.10. Randa Markos (7-4)
Coming off of an upset loss to Cortney Casey in August, Markos seemed to be playing tune-up opponent for former UFC champion Carla Esparza at UFC Fight Night in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Feb. 19. Instead, Markos outdueled the former titlist and earned a close split decision to notch the biggest win of her career.Other Contenders: Joanne Calderwood, Cortney Casey, Carla Esparza, Virna Jandiroba, Viviane Pereira.
Continue Reading » Women’s Atomweight