Women’s Strawweight
1. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (11-0)
Jedrzejczyk failed to record a third consecutive knockout but retained her title nonetheless with a gritty and technical five-round decision over Valerie Letourneau at UFC 193. “Joanna Champion” has now defended the UFC 115-pound strap twice since snatching it from Carla Esparza in March and has racked up five Octagon victories in just 16 months under Zuffa employ. Currently coaching on Season 23 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Jedrzejczyk underwent successful surgery to repair a broken right hand in November and will defend her belt against Claudia Gadelha on July 8.2. Claudia Gadelha (13-1)
Gadelha rudely welcomed Jessica Aguilar to the Octagon on Aug. 1 in a three-round unanimous decision which saw the Brazilian utilizing powerful and precise striking, along with some well-timed takedowns. The win secured a title shot for the Nova Uniao black belt, who will rematch Joanna Jedrzejczyk on July 8 after coaching opposite the champion on the 23rd season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”3. Jessica Aguilar (19-5)
The former World Series of Fighting titlist was outgunned and outclassed in her Octagon debut, as “JAG” was busted up by Brazilian bruiser Claudia Gadelha at UFC 190. The loss snapped a 10-fight winning streak for Aguilar, who held the division’s top ranking only months ago. She was ticketed for a match with Juliana Lima at UFC 197 on April 23 but had to withdraw after tearing her ACL.4. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (9-0)
Kowalkiewicz got off to a slow start in her May 8 bout against Heather Clark, but the Polish prospect turned up her boxing in rounds two and three to take a well-earned unanimous decision. Now 2-0 inside the Octagon, Kowalkiewicz seems destined for title contention in a nascent UFC division in need of qualified challengers.5. Carla Esparza (11-3)
Returning from a 13-month layoff brought about by shoulder surgery, Esparza got back in the swing of things with a dull but dominant decision win against Brazilian Juliana Lima. It was the first bout for “Cookie Monster” since dropping her UFC strawweight title to Joanna Jedrzejczyk in March 2015.6. Rose Namajunas (5-2)
Namajunas avenged one of the two losses on her ledger when she took a hard-fought split decision from Tecia Torres on April 16. “Thug Rose” has looked increasingly impressive in each bout since her failed bid for UFC gold, choking out Paige VanZant and Angela Hill prior to making it three in a row against Torres.7. Tecia Torres (7-1)
Four months after putting on the most dominant performance of her young career, Torres came up short in an April 16 rematch against fellow “Ultimate Fighter” Rose Namajunas. The decision defeat put the first official blemish on Torres’ record, though “The Tiny Tornado” suffered exhibition losses to Carla Esparza and Randa Markos during her time on “TUF.”8. Valerie Letourneau (8-4)
Letourneau proved tougher competition than most expected for Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 193, where the challenger became the first woman to take the Polish titlist into championship rounds. After a solid start on the feet, however, “Trouble” was gradually busted up by Jedrzejczyk’s crisp striking, and the Canadian’s Octagon winning streak was halted at three. Letourneau on June 18 will compete in the first-ever women’s 125-pound fight in the Octagon when she battles Joanne Calderwood at a UFC Fight Night event in Canada.9. Maryna Moroz (7-1)
Moroz could not consolidate her upset of Joanne Calderwood with a second straight UFC victory, as she wound up on the wrong side of a unanimous decision against Valerie Letourneau on Aug. 23. The 23-year-old Ukrainian boxer rebounded on April 10 with a decision victory over Cristina Stanciu in Croatia.10. Angela Hill (5-2)
Hill captured the Invicta strawweight title from Livia Renata Souza on May 7, surviving multiple submission attempts to outwork the Brazilian on the feet across 25 minutes. Since exiting the UFC in late 2015, “Overkill” has rattled off three straight wins -- including two nasty knockouts -- and showcased an ever-improving game.Other Contenders: Jessica Andrade, Joanne Calderwood, Kalindra Faria, Polyana Viana Mota, Livia Renata Souza.