mma / Columns
411 MMA Rankings 11.17.15: Women’s Pound for Pound — Rousey Falls From #1
A day many thought would never come thanks to the calling of Hollywood came to pass on November 14 in Australia. Ronda Rousey lost her first MMA fight and did so in explosive fashion, being knocked out in the second round by Holly Holm. In front of over 40,000 spectators, the loss sends shockwaves through the entire sport, beyond just women’s MMA. With Holm now the bantamweight champion, what does this mean for any consideration of Cris Cyborg in the UFC? What does it mean for Ronda’s fight career, or better phrased, what’s left of Ronda’s fight career? Will this loss speed up any thoughts of moving beyond the demands of training and competing to focus on life after just as Gina Carano did after she lost her first MMA fight (to Cyborg) in 2009?
Holly Holm, who was not even ranked in the last 411 MMA Rankings for the women’s pound for pound edition in August now shoots way up. Is the win over Ronda enough to surpass even Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who successfully defended her strawweight championship at UFC 193 Saturday? Holm previously did not look overly impressive in the UFC, winning both of her previous two fights in the octagon by decision this year. However, Rousey was unable to solve the puzzle and land any effective offense. Ronda tried to aggressively stalk her but ended up eating a barrage of combinations, leading up to the head kick of doom in the second round.
The fight on the biggest platform in the sport shined a spotlight on the fact that against an elite striker, Ronda Rousey did not stand a chance. Whether it was just an egregiously bad night at the office or an indictment on the training practices of Edmond Tarverydan will be something the former champion will think about in short order.
We now live in an MMA world where Ronda Rousey is no longer undefeated.
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411’s MMA Ranking Rules
Which fighters are eligible for these rankings? They must meet the following qualifications:
– A fighter serving a disciplinary suspension will not be ranked. They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded. This includes fighters who may disregard their suspension locally to fight overseas.
– If a fighter appears on just one single ballot, and in the top ten, five points will be deducted to balance between other fighters who may be ranked lower, but appear on a greater amount of ballots.
– Want to complain about a fighter’s ranking in the comments section? Please include an objective reason why you despise the list, and try your best to bring the rest of us to your way of thinking.
411’s MMA Rankings
Pound For Pound
1) Joanna Jedrzejczyk (11-0)
Height: 5’6
Weight (lbs.): 115
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Valerie Letorneau – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm – November 14, 2015
– vs. Jessica Penne – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Jedrzejczyk vs. Penne – June 20, 2015
– vs. Carla Esparza – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 185 – March 14, 2015
– vs. Claudia Gadelha – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic – December 13, 2014
– vs. Juliana Lima – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown – July 26, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Joanna Champion can now be recognized as the best female fighter in the sport. Well, unless you think that’s Holly Holm. Joanna may not have thrashed Valerie Letorneau like she did Jessica Penne and Carla Esparza, but she decisively won the five-round decision. Up next for the Polish star appears to be a rematch with Claudia Gadelha, more than a year since Gadelha suffered her first career defeat.
2) Holly Holm (10-0)
Birthday: October 17, 1981
Height: 5’8
Weight (lbs.): 135
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ronda Rousey – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm – November 14, 2015
– vs. Marion Reneau – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 15, 2015
– vs. Raquel Pennington – Win via decision (split) – UFC 184 – February 28, 2015
– vs. Juliana Werner – Win via TKO (head kick) – Legacy FC 30: Holm vs. Werner – April 4, 2014
– vs. Angela Hayes – Win via decision (unanimous) – Fresquez Productions: Havoc – December 6, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Wow. You had to believe Holm had as good a shot as any of Ronda Rousey’s previous 12 opponents to pull off the upset. However, the dominant performance she displayed was beyond most conjecture leading up to Saturday’s UFC 193. She absolutely battered Ronda for the entire 5:59 the fight lasted, concluding with a head kick and hammerfists to knock out the champion. Holly earned her 18th pro combat sports championship with this win and despite a successful boxing career, will forever be remembered as the person who handed Ronda Rousey her first pro defeat.
Odds are Holm’s first title defense will come in July at UFC 200 in a rematch with Ronda in what would definitely become the biggest show in MMA history.
3) “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey (12-1)
Height: 5’6
Weight (lbs.): 135
Birthday: February 1, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Holly Holm – Loss via KO (head kick) – UC 193: Rousey vs. Holm – November 14, 2015
– vs. Bethe Correia – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia – August 1, 2015
– vs. Cat Zingano – Win via submission (armbar) – UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano – February 28, 2015
– vs. Alexis Davis – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida – July 5, 2014
– vs. Sara McMann – Win via TKO (knee to the body) – UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann – February 22, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: After Saturday’s crushing loss, you can talk about many things when it comes to Ronda Rousey. Has all of her non-fighting commitments begun to detract from her athletic career? Was she overconfident against a legitimate challenger? Or was she just overmatched by a more skilled fighter? Based on what we saw at UFC 193 and how she was unable to find any success against Holm’s stand-up, it’s looking like the latter stands out the most. What may be most intriguing in the aftermath of this historic fight is whether Ronda reconsiders throwing her career from this point in with trainer Edmond Tarverydan.
4) Cris “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC)
Height: 5’8
Weight (lbs.): 145
Birthday: July 9, 1985
Currently Fighting With: Invicta FC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Faith Van Duin – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin – July 9, 2015
– vs. Charmaine Tweet – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet – February 27, 2015
– vs. Marloes Coenen – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 6: Cyborg vs. Coenen 2 – July 13, 2013
– vs. Fiona Muxlow – Win via TKO (knees) – Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson – April 5, 2013
– vs. Hiroko Yamanaka – No Contest (positive drug test following win via TKO) – Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal – December 17, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment:
5) Claudia Gadelha (12-1)
Birthday: December 7, 1988
Height: 5’3
Weight (lbs.): 115
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jessica Aguilar – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia – August 1, 2015
– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Loss via decision (split) – UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic – December 13, 2014
– vs. Tina Lahdemaki – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller – July 16, 2014
– vs. Ayaka Hamasaki – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 6: Cyborg vs. Coenen 2 – July 13, 2013
– vs. Herica Tiburcio – Win via decision (unanimous) – Max Sports: 13.2 – May 11, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) Barb “Little Warrior” Honchak (9-2)
Height: 5’4
Weight (lbs.): 125
Birthday: August 30, 1978
Currently Fighting With: Invicta FC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Takayo Hashi – Win via decision (unanimous) – Invicta FC 9: Honchak vs. Hashi – November 1, 2014
– vs. Leslie Smith – Win via decision (unanimous) – Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith – December 7, 2013
– vs. Vanessa Porto – Win via decision (unanimous) – Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson – April 5, 2013
– vs. Aisling Daly – Win via decision (unanimous) – Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama – October 6, 2012
– vs. Bethany Marshall – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann – July 28, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) “Alpha” Cat Zingano (9-1)
Height: 5’6
Weight (lbs.): 135
Birthday: July 1, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ronda Rousey – Loss via submission (armbar) – UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano – February 28, 2015
– vs. Amanda Nunes – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 178: Cerrone vs. Alvarez – September 27, 2014
– vs. Miesha Tate – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC TUF 17 Finale – April 13, 2013
– vs. Raquel Pennington – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama – October 6, 2012
– vs. Takayo Hashi – Win via KO (slam and punches) – Fight to Win: Outlaws – May 14, 2011
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
8) “Cupcake” Miesha Tate (16-5)
Height: 5’6
Weight (lbs.): 135
Birthday: August 18, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jessica Eye – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barao 2 – July 25, 2015
– vs. Sara McMann – Win via decision (split) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015
– vs. Rin Nakai – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Hunt – September 20, 2014
– vs. Liz Carmouche – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne – April 19, 2014
– vs. Ronda Rousey – Loss via submission (armbar) – UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 2 – December 28, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment:
9) Ayaka Hamasaki (12-1)
Height: 5’2
Weight (lbs.): 105
Birthday: March 31, 1982
Currently Fighting With: Invicta FC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Herica Tiburcio – Win via decision (split) – Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin – July 9, 2015
– vs. Mei Yamaguchi – Win via decision (unanimous) – DEEP: Dream Impact 2014 – December 31, 2014
– vs. Naho Sugiyama – Win via TKO (strikes) – DEEP Jewels 5 – August 9, 2014
– vs. Claudia Gadelha – Loss via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg – July 13, 2013
– vs. Emi Fujino – Win via decision (unanimous) – Jewels 22nd Ring – December 15, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Herica Tiburcio (9-3)
Height: 4’11
Weight (lbs.): 105
Birthday: January 1, 1993
Currently Fighting With: Invicta FC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Ayaka Hamasaki – Loss via decision (split) – Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin – July 9, 2015
– vs. Michelle Waterson – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio – December 5, 2014
– vs. Aline Sattelmeyer – Win via decision (unanimous) – MMA Super Heroes 3 – March 30, 2014
– vs. Chayen Aline Gaspar – Win via submission (armbar) – Talent MMA Circuit 5 – November 23, 2013
– vs. Kinberly Tanaka Novaes – Win via submission (armbar) – MMA Super Heroes 1 – July 13, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
11) Jessica Aguilar (19-5)
Height: 5’4
Weight (lbs.): 115
Birthday: May 8, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Claudia Gadelha – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia – August 1, 2015
– vs. Kalindra Faria – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 15 – November 15, 2014
– vs. Emi Fujino – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 10 – June 21, 2014
– vs. Alida Gray – Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) – WSOF 8 – January 18, 2014
– vs. Megumi Fujii – Win via decision (split) – Vale Tudo Japan 3rd – October 5, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
12) “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson (13-4)
Height: 5’4
Weight (lbs.): 125
Birthday: January 6, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Angela Magana – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC TUF Finale – July 12, 2015
– vs. Herica Tiburcio – Loss via submission (guillotine choke) – Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio – December 5, 2014
– vs. Yasuko Tamada – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada – September 6, 2014
– vs. Jessica Penne – Win via submission (armbar) – Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson – April 5, 2013
– vs. Lacey Schuckman – Win via decision (split) – Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama – October 6, 2012
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Tecia Torres – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
Comment:
13) “The Lioness” Amanda Nunes (11-4)
Birthday: May 30, 1988
Height: 5’8
Weight (lbs.): 135
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Sara McMann – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2015
– vs. Shayna Baszler – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. LaFlare – March 21, 2015
– vs. Cat Zingano – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 178: Cerrone vs. Alvarez – September 27, 2014
– vs. Germaine da Randamie – Win via TKO (elbows) – UFC Fight for the Troops 3 – November 6, 2013
– vs. Shiela Gaff – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 163 – August 3, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Tonya Evinger (17-5)
Birthday: June 4, 1981
Height: 5’7
Weight (lbs.): 135
Currently fighting with: Invicta FC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Pannie Klanzad – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Klanzad – September 12, 2015
– vs. Irene Aldana – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin – July 9, 2015
– vs. Cindy Dandois – Win via submission (armbar) – Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio – December 5, 2014
– vs. Ediane Gomes – Win via submission (armbar) – Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada – September 8, 2014
– vs. Sarah D’Alelio – Win via decision (unanimous) – Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith – December 7, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Valerie “Trouble” Letorneau (8-4)
Height: 5’7
Weight (lbs.): 115
Birthday: April 29, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm – November 14, 2015
– vs. Maryna Moroz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – August 23, 2015
– vs. Jessica Rakoczy – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 186 – April 25, 2015
– vs. Elizabeth Philips – Win via decision (split) – UFC 174 – June 14, 2014
– vs. Jordan Moore – Win via TKO (strikes) – AFC 21 – May 16, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Closing: No other fighter received consideration.
