mma / Columns

411 Women’s Pound for Pound MMA Rankings: Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Weili Zhang, More

October 15, 2019 | Posted by Jonathan Solomon

411’s MMA Rankings

Pound For Pound


1) “The Lioness” Amanda Nunes (18-4)

Birthday: May 30, 1988

Height: 5’8

Weight (lbs.): 135/145

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Holly Holm – Win via TKO (head kick and strikes) – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019

– vs. Cris Cyborg – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018

– vs. Raquel Pennington – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 224 – May 12, 2018

– vs. Valentina Shevchenko – Win via decision (split) – UFC 215 – September 9, 2017

– vs. Ronda Rousey – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 207 – December 30, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Germaine De Randamie – UFC 245 – December 14, 2019

Comment: Germaine reused to fight Cyborg two years ago, saying that Cyborg was a known cheater. De Randamie suffered with public perception from many that she was using that as a crutch to avoid fighting a dangerous fighter. It cost her money and a title as she switched to bantamweight in the process. Two years later, two wins later, and she’ll look to win the bantamweight title from Amanda Nunes (who is perhaps more dangerous than Cyborg ever was). In other news, Nunes’ fiancé Nina Ansaroff is planning on taking a year off from fighting as the pair pursue having their first child.



2) Cris “Cyborg” Justino (21-2, 1 NC)

Height: 5’8

Weight (lbs.): 145

Birthday: July 9, 1985

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Felicia Spencer – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 230 – July 27, 2019

– vs. Amanda Nunes – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC 232 – December 29, 2018

– vs. Yana Kunitskaya – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 222 – March 3, 2018

– vs. Holly Holm – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 219 – December 30, 2017

– vs. Tonya Evinger – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Cyborg signed what Bellator head Scott Coker said was the largest contract ever earned by a woman in MMA. No fight has been announced yet but it wouldn’t be a shock t see Cyborg challenge featherweight champion Julia Budd as soon as they can make that fight.



3) Valentina Shevchenko (18-3)

Height: 5’5

Weight (lbs.): 125

Birthday: March 7, 1988

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Liz Carmouche – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN+ – August 10, 2019

– vs. Jessica Eye – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC 238 – June 8, 2019

– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 231 – December 8, 2018

– vs. Priscila Cachoeira – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – February 3, 2018

– vs. Amanda Nunes – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 215 – September 9, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



4) Weili Zhang (20-1)

Height: 5’4

Weight (lbs.): 115

Birthday: August 13, 1989

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

vs. Jessica Andrade – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – August 31, 2019

– vs. Tecia Torres – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 235 – March 2, 2019

– vs. Jessica Aguilar – Win via submission (armor) – UFC Fight Night – November 24, 2018

– vs. Danielle Taylor – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 227 – August 4, 2018

– vs. Bianca Sattelmayer – Win via submission (armbar) – Kunlun Fight – October 3, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: The first Asian UFC champion ever, Weili Zhang did it in huge fashion – knocking out Jessica Andrade in under a minute live in China. The win also marked her 20th consecutive victory and the world waits to see when she’ll be back in action as the newest worldwide MMA star.



5) Jessica Andrade (20-7)

Height: 5’2

Weight (lbs.): 115

Birthday: September 25, 1991

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Weili Zhang – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC on ESPN+ – August 31, 2019

– vs. Rose Namajunas – Win via KO (slam) – UFC 237 – May 11, 2019

– vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – Win via KO (punch) UFC 228 – September 8, 2018

– vs. Tecia Torres – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – February 24, 2018

– vs. Claudia Gadelha – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 22, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



6) Rose “Thug” Namajunas (8-4)

Height: 5’5

Weight (lbs.): 115

Birthday: June 29, 1992

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Jessica Andrade – Loss via KO (slam) – UFC 237 – May 11, 2019

– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



7) Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-3)

Height: 5’6

Weight (lbs.): 115

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Michelle Waterson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN+ – October 12, 2019

– vs. Valentina Shevchenko – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 231 – December 8, 2018

– vs. Tecia Torres – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – July 28, 2018

– vs. Rose Namajunas – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 223 – April 7, 2018

– vs. Rose Namajunas – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: In her first fight in 10 months, Joanna Jedrzejczyk controlled her fight with Michelle Waterson, walking her down and never coming within danger of losing. The win likely sets her up for the first title fight against Weili Zhang in 2020.



8) Germaine de Randamie (9-3)

Height: 5’9

Weight (lbs.): 135

Birthday: April 24, 1984

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Aspen Ladd – Win via TKO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – July 13, 2019

– vs. Raquel Pennington – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 10, 2018

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Amanda Nunes – UFC 245 – December 14, 2019



9) Julia Budd (13-2)

Height: 5’8

Weight (lbs.): 145

Birthday: July 4, 1983

Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Olga Rubin – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 224 – July 12, 2019

– vs. Talita Nogueira – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 202 – July 13, 2018

– vs. Arlene Blencowe – Win via decision (split) – 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



10) “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson (17-7)

Height: 5’4

Weight (lbs.): 115

Birthday: January 6, 1986

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 12, 2019

– vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – March 30, 2019

– vs. Felice Herrig – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 229 – October 6, 2018

– vs. Cortney Casey – Win via decision (split) – UFC on Fox – April 14, 2019

– vs. Rose Namajunas – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox – April 15, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Waterson’s three fight win streak came to a halt on Saturday night and her dream of fighting for a UFC title went with it. At least, fighting for a title anytime soon. As the top of the division sorts itself out (Zhang/Joanna/Suarez/Namajunas), Waterson will likely need at least two wins against Top 10 opponents to get herself back in that conversation.



11) Ketlen Vieira (10-0)

Height: 5’8

Weight (lbs.): 135

Birthday: August 26, 1991

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Cat Zingano – Win via decision (split) – UFC 222 – March 3, 2018

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Irene Aldana – UFC 245 – December 14, 2019



12)Tatiana Suarez (8-0)

Height: 5’5

Weight (lbs.): 115

Birthday: December 19, 1990

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Nina Ansaroff – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 238 – June 8, 2019

– vs. Carla Esparza – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018

– vs. Alexa Grasso – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night – May 19, 2018

– vs. Viviane Pereira – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 11, 2017

– vs. Amanda Cooper – Win via submission (D’arce Choke) – UFC TUF Finale – July 8, 2016

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown



13) Jennifer Maia (17-5-1)

Height: 5’4

Weight (lbs.): 125

Birthday: October 6, 1988

Currently Fighting With: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Roxanne Modafferi – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on ESPN – July 20, 2019

– vs. Alexis Davis – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 23, 2019

– vs. Liz Carmouche – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – July 14, 2018

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Katlyn Chookagian – UFC 244 – November 2, 2019



14) Claudia Gadelha (17-4)

Birthday: December 7, 1988

Height: 5’3

Weight (lbs.): 115

Currently fighting with: UFC

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Randa Markos – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 239 – July 6, 2019

– vs. Nina Ansaroff – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 231 – December 8, 2018

– vs. Carla Esparza – Win via decision (split) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018

– 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

Next scheduled appearance:

– vs. Cynthia Calvillo – UFC on ESPN – December 7, 2019



15) Angela Lee (10-2)

Height: 5’4

Weight (lbs.): 114

Birthday: July 8, 1996

Currently Fighting With: ONE Championship

Last 5 fights:

– vs. Xiong Jingnan – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – ONE: Century – October 12, 2019

– vs. Michelle Nicolini – Loss via decision (unanimous) – ONE: Masters of Destiny – July 12, 2019

– vs. Xiong Jingnan – Loss via TKO (strikes) – ONE: A New Era – March 31, 2019

– vs. Mei Yamaguchi – Win via decision (unanimous) – ONE 73 – May 19, 2018

– vs. Istela Nunes – Win via submission (anaconda choke) – ONE 55 – May 26, 2017

Next scheduled appearance:

– Unknown

Comment: Lee defended her atomweight championship and avenged the first loss of her career by choking out Xiong Jingnan. Those two losses earlier in the year were each at strawweight while Lee returned to her own division for this weekend’s fight. The win did not come easily as she came close to being finished again by strikes, but took Jingnan down en route to the finish in the fifth round. On the same card, Lee’s younger brother and reigning lightweight champion Christian won the Lightweight Grand Prix.