mma / Columns
411 MMA Rankings 12.26.17: Women’s Pound for Pound – Cyborg, Amanda Nunes, More
411’s MMA Rankings
Pound For Pound
1) Cris “Cyborg” Justino (18-1, 1 NC)
Height: 5’8
Weight (lbs.): 145
Birthday: July 9, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tonya Evinger – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017
– vs. Lina Lansberg – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – September 24, 2016
– vs. Leslie Smith – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 198 – May 14, 2016
– vs. Daria Ibragimova – Win via KO (strikes) – Invicta FC 15: Cyborg vs. Ibragimova – January 18, 2016
– vs. Faith Van Duin – Win via TKO (strikes) – Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin – July 9, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Holly Holm – UFC 219 – December 30, 2017
Comment: Unbeaten in 19 pro fights, Cyborg will look to defend the UFC featherweight title for the first time this weekend against former bantamweight champ Holly Holm. Holm lost her 145-pound debut in February to Germaine de Randamie and ended a three fight losing streak by knocking out Bethe Correia at 135-pounds in June. For whatever reason (perhaps no one else was willing to fight Cyborg), she gets a chance to win the featherweight title despite having zero wins in the weight class.
2) Rose “Thug” Namajunas (7-3)
Height: 5’5
Weight (lbs.): 115
Birthday: June 29, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017
– vs. Michelle Waterson – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017
– vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 201 – July 30, 2016
– vs. Tecia Torres – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
– vs. Paige VanZant – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – December 10, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Who would have thought at the beginning of 2017 that by the end of the year, Thug Rose would be one of the two best fighters, period? She knocked out Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 217, letting the world know that dedication can pay off in unforeseen ways.
3) Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-1)
Height: 5’6
Weight (lbs.): 115
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rose Namajunas – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017
– vs. Jessica Andrade – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 211 – May 13, 2017
– vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 205: Alvares vs. McGregor – November 12, 2016
– vs. Claudia Gadelha – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF Finale – July 8, 2016
– vs. Valerie Letorneau – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm – November 14, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Whether Joanna underestimated Rose or not, she was outclassed in no uncertain ways last month. The big question in 2018 will be whether Joanna can bounce back and avoid completely falling off like we’ve seen with so many former champions.
4) “The Lioness” Amanda Nunes (15-4)
Birthday: May 30, 1988
Height: 5’8
Weight (lbs.): 135
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Valentina Shevchenko – Win via decision (split) – UFC 215 – September 9, 2017
– vs. Ronda Rousey – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 207 – December 30, 2016
– vs. Miesha Tate – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 200: Tate vs. Nunes – July 9, 2016
– vs. Valentina Shevchenko – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 196: McGregor vs. Diaz – March 5, 2016
– vs. Sara McMann – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – August 8, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
5) Jessica Andrade (17-6)
Height: 5’2
Weight (lbs.): 115
Birthday: September 25, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Claudia Gadelha – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 22, 2017
– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 211 – May 13, 2017
– vs. Angela Hill – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 4, 2017
vs. Joanne Calderwood – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem – September 10, 2016
– vs. Jessica Penne – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 199: Rockhold vs. Bisping 2 – June 4, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – UFC on Fox – February 24, 2018
6) Claudia Gadelha (15-3)
Birthday: December 7, 1988
Height: 5’3
Weight (lbs.): 115
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jessica Andrade – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 22, 2017
– vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 212 – June 3, 2017
– vs. Courtney Casey – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016
– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF 23 Finale – July 8, 2016
– vs. Jessica Aguilar – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia – August 1, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) Valentina Shevchenko (14-3)
Height: 5’5
Weight (lbs.): 135
Birthday: March 7, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Amanda Nunes – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 215 – September 9, 2017
– vs. Julianna Pena – Win via submission (armbar) – UFC on Fox – January 28, 2017
vs. Holly Holm – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – July 23, 2016
– vs. Amanda Nunes – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 196 – March 5, 2016
– vs. Sarah Kaufman – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox – December 19, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Priscila Cachoeira – UFC Fight Night – February 3, 2018
Comment: Shevchenko will welcome undefeated Cachoeira (8-0) to the UFC in February.
8) Germaine de Randamie (7-3)
Height: 5’9
Weight (lbs.): 135
Birthday: April 24, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Holly Holm – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 208 – February 11, 2017
– vs. Anna Elmose – Win via KO (knee) – UFC Fight Night – May 8, 2016
– vs. Larissa Pacheco – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 185 – March 14, 2015
– vs. Amanda Nunes – Loss via TKO (elbows) – UFC Fight Night – November 6, 2013
– vs. Julie Kedzie – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox – July 27, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Livia Renata Souza (11-1)
Height: 5’4
Weight (lbs.): 115
Birthday: March 11, 1991
Currently Fighting With: Invicta FC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Janaisa Morandin – Win via decision (unanimous) – Invicta FC 25 – August 31, 2017
– vs. Ayaka Hamasaki – Win via KO (punches) – Invicta FC 22 – March 25, 2017
– vs. Angela Hill – Loss via decision (split) – Invicta FC 17 – May 7, 2016
vs. DeAnna Bennett – Win via TKO (body kick) – Invicta FC 15: Cyborg vs. Ibragimova – January 16, 2016
– vs. Katja Kankaanpaa – Win via submission (triangle choke) – Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpaa vs. Souza – April 24, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Raquel Pennington (9-5)
Birthday: September 5, 1988
Height: 5’7
Weight (lbs.): 135
Currently fighting with: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Miesha Tate – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016
– vs. Elizabeth Phillips – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 202 – August 20, 2016
– vs. Bethe Correia – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
– vs. Jessica Andrade – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 191 – September 9, 2015
– vs. Holly Holm – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 184 – February 28, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Injured
Comment: Raquel had agreed this to fight champion Amanda Nunes when she broke her leg while riding an ATV in October. Her title fight will end up going to another fighter as she recovers.
11) Jennifer Maia (15-4-1)
Height: 5’4
Weight (lbs.): 135
Birthday: October 6, 1988
Currently Fighting With: Invicta FC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Aga Niedzwiedz – Win via decision (unanimous) – Invicta FC 26 – December 8, 2017
– vs. Roxanne Modafferi – Win via decision (split) – Invicta FC 19 – September 23, 2016
– vs. Vanessa Porto – Win via decision (unanimous) – Invicta FC 16 – March 11, 2016
– vs. Dayana Silva – Win via decision (split) – Invicta FC 2 – December 3, 2015
– vs. Marta Souza – Win via TKO (strikes) – Samurai FC 12 – October 10, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Earlier this month, Maia successfully defended the flyweight title for the second time in Invicta. She appears certain to move up to the UFC in 2018 as their newly created flyweight division features Nicco Montano as the champion fresh off TUF 26.
12) Karolina Kowalkiewicz (11-2)
Height: 5’3
Weight (lbs.): 115
Birthday: October 15, 1985
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jodie Esquibel – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 21, 2017
– vs. Claudia Gadelha – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 212 – June 3, 2017
– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor – November 12, 2016
– vs. Rose Namajunas – Win via decision (split) – UFC 201 – July 30, 2016
– vs. Heather Clark – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 8, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jessica Andrade – UFC on Fox – February 24, 2018
13) Julia Budd (10-2)
Height: 5’8
Weight (lbs.): 145
Birthday: July 4, 1983
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Arlene Blencowe – Bellator 189 – December 1, 2017
– vs. Marloes Coenen – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 174 – March 3, 2017
– vs. Arlene Blencoe – Win via decision (split) – Bellator 162 – October 21, 2016
– vs. Roberta Paim Rovel – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 146 – November 20, 2015
– vs. Gabrielle Holloway – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 133 – February 13, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Budd became the first ever Bellator womens featherweight champion in March and defended that title this month in a split decision win against Arlene Blencowe.
14) Ketlen Vieira (9-0)
Height: 5’8
Weight (lbs.): 135
Birthday: August 26, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Sara McMann – Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) – UFC 215 – September 9, 2017
– vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017
– vs. Kelly Faszholz – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – October 1, 2016
– vs. Estefani Almeida – Win via decision (unanimous) – Big Way Fight Night – February 20, 2016
– vs. Jessica Maciel – Win via TKO (strikes) – Mr. Cage 20 – December 17, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Nova Uniao’s Ketlen Vieira improved to 9-0 in 2017 and figures to be one of the big contenders at bantamweight next year. The only other fighter to submit Sara McMann? Current UFC champion Amanda Nunes.
15) “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey (12-2)
Height: 5’6
Weight (lbs.): 135
Birthday: February 1, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Amanda Nunes – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 207: Nunes vs. Rousey – December 30, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Ronda has not officially announced her retirement from MMA but, it seems as though there’s no chance she competes in MMA in the near or long term. More likely is a potential deal to join WWE.
