Women’s Strawweight
1. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0)
Jedrzejczyk's next title defense remains unscheduled, but signs are pointing toward a UFC 216 return for “Joanna Champion” on Nov. 4 at Madison Square Garden in New York, where she will likely stake her throne against Rose Namajunas. In the meantime, however, Jedrzejczyk has showed off her media savvy and self-promotional ability, using Amanda Nunes' withdrawal at UFC 213 as an opportunity to lobby for a fight with Valentina Shevchenko. While the fight had no chance of happening on just hours' notice, the Polish queen nonetheless got fans worked up and excited about a potential future clash with Shevchenko, which could happen at 125 pounds down the road.2. Claudia Gadelha (15-2)
The events of UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro only strengthened the notion that the women's strawweight division is “Joanna, Claudia and everybody else.” In a showdown with the unquestioned third-best woman in the weight class, Gadelha ripped through Karolina Kowalkiewicz, choking her out in just over three minutes. The performance is a reminder that there is still hope for the 28-year-old Gadelha -- who is relocating full-time to Albuquerque, New Mexico -- to get a third fight with her tormentor Joanna Jedrezjczyk.3. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-2)
Coming off of the first loss of her pro career to Polish counterpart Joanna Jedrzejczyk, it seemed like a tall task for Kowalkiewicz to jump back into the Octagon against the No. 2 woman in the weight class, Claudia Gadelha. Kowalkiewicz may be one of the 10 best women in the game, but she was no match for Gadelha, who took her down and choked her out in barely three minutes.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 (9-1)
Torres went to the scorecards in her first nine pro bouts, but that all changed at “The Ultimate Fighter 25” Finale. Stepping into a fight with Julianna Lima on short notice, “The Tiny Tornado” was dominant, running over the Brazilian and locking up a second-round rear-naked choke to secure her first career finish and reaffirm her place at 115 pounds.7. Angela Hill (7-3)
Things could have gone a bit better for Hill at “The Ultimate Fighter 25” Finale. First of all, the charismatic cosplayer was not allowed to dress up in trademark style for weigh-ins, which meant her Black Panther costume was relegated to her Instagram feed. Then she got a tougher-than-expected bout with the tall and awkward Ashley Yoder on fight night. Regardless, “Angie Overkill” won a unanimous decision, and the still-developing prospect got a valuable learning experience, as well.8. Livia Renata Souza (10-1)
Souza in March righted her ship after losing the Invicta strawweight title, destroying another Invicta titlist in Ayaka Hamasaki, who bumped back up to 115 pounds. “Livinha” will not get the chance to rematch the woman who took her Invicta crown last year, as Angela Hill parlayed her title win into another UFC contract. Nonetheless, Souza will have the opportunity to regain her belt at Invicta 25 on Aug. 31, as she takes on Jodie Esquibel for the now-vacant championship.9. Cortney Casey (7-4)
After picking up wins over Randa Markos and Jessica Aguilar, it seemed as though the largely overlooked Casey was coming into her own at 115 pounds. Then the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation stripped her of a May victory over Aguilar, stating that “Cast Iron” had tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone. Later, the UFC and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency went public and claimed the TDLR had botched Casey's test. The announcement was followed by the news that Casey's B-sample from the fight came back negative for elevated T levels. Plain and simple, Casey was a victim of an ignorant athletic commission, and as sad as it may be, needed to fight the state government to have her win reinstated.10. Carla Esparza (12-4)
It has been a difficult two years for the first woman to wear UFC 115-pound gold. After the promotion's inaugural strawweight queen was savaged in her first title defense against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in March 2015, Esparza bounced back with a win over Brazil's Juliana Lima, only to suffer a surprising upset loss to Randa Markos in February. “Cookie Monster” took another step toward righting her ship on June 25, easily outwrestling Ukraine's Maryna Moroz for 15 minutes.Other Contenders: Joanne Calderwood, Angela Lee, Randa Markos, Maryna Moroz, Viviane Pereira.
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