Women’s Bantamweight
1. Amanda Nunes (16-4)
Nunes strengthened her stranglehold on the women’s bantamweight division at UFC 224, where she gradually wore down Raquel Pennington en route to a fifth-round technical knockout in the Rio de Janeiro headliner. “Lioness” has seven consecutive wins under her belt and could be set to make her next defense against Brazilian Ketlen Vieira if she remains at 135 pounds. However, a more lucrative fight against featherweight queen Cristiane Justino appears to be on the horizon, as the UFC is targeting Dec. 29 for a showdown between the two champions.2. Holly Holm (11-4)
Holm entered mixed martial arts known as a boxing world champion, but her skills have gradually evolved over the years. That was most evident at UFC 225, where the Jackson-Wink MMA representative outwrestled and outgrappled Octagon newcomer Megan Anderson in a relatively easy decision triumph. Not only did Holm end talks of Anderson as the next featherweight title challenger, but she set herself up for yet another high-profile bout down the road. Whether that comes at 135 or 145 pounds likely depends on the opportunities presented to the New Mexico native.3. Ketlen Vieira (10-0)
Do not be fooled by the split decision result: Vieira was largely dominant in her victory over Cat Zingano at UFC 222 thanks to her takedowns and suffocating top game. After having handily dispatched ex-title challengers in Zingano and Sara McMann in her last two outings -- and with a 4-0 record overall in the Octagon -- the 26-year-old Brazilian should be on the short list of top contenders at 135 pounds.4. Raquel Pennington (9-6)
Pennington showcased plenty of heart but had little else to offer Amanda Nunes in a failed bantamweight title bid at UFC 224. “Rocky” hung tough until the fifth round against the hard-punching champion before finally succumbing via TKO at the 2:36 mark of the final stanza. That defeat brought an end to a four-fight winning streak for Pennington.5. Tonya Evinger (19-6)
An Invicta bantamweight championship and eight-bout unbeaten streak finally punched Evinger’s ticket to the UFC, though “Triple Threat” was forced to move up to 145 pounds and take a Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino beatdown in July to actualize it. The 37-year-old was scheduled for a proper 135-pound debut in the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 126 on Feb. 18 but was forced out of her bout with Marion Reneau due to injury.6. Cat Zingano (10-3)
After consistently having long layoffs between fights, Zingano returned to the Octagon just five months after dropping a split decision to Ketlen Vieira at UFC 222. Perhaps the Colorado native should consider more quick turnarounds, as she relied on takedowns and top position to take a three-round verdict over Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 133. The triumph ended a three-bout skid for Zingano, who still remains a factor in the division thanks in large part to a stoppage win over reigning champion Amanda Nunes in 2014.7. Marion Reneau (9-4-1)
Unbeaten in her previous four Octagon appearances, Reneau was grounded repeatedly by Cat Zingano at UFC Fight Night 133 in Boise, Idaho, ultimately losing a unanimous decision to the former bantamweight title challenger. At 41 years old, the clock could be ticking for Reneau, who owns notable wins against the likes of Sara McManna and Jessica Andrade during her promotional tenure.8. Sara McMann (11-5)
McMann was in complete control against Marion Reneau in their UFC on Fox 28 clash, as she pounded away on her defenseless opponent from the mounted crucifix in the waning seconds of Round 1. Not getting the finish would come back to haunt the Olympic silver medalist, however, as Reneau rallied to drop McMann and then submit her with a triangle choke in the second stanza. McMann, a former title challenger, has lost two straight for the second time in her UFC tenure and will put her fighting career on hold as she awaits the birth of her second child.9. Aspen Ladd (6-0)
Ladd was scheduled to lock horns with Leslie Smith at UFC Fight Night 128, but after Ladd missed weight by 1.8 pounds, Smith elected not to accept the bout. Ladd, who debuted in the Octagon with a stoppage of Lina Lansberg in October, claimed in a social media post that her issues on the scale were due to “certain female circumstances.”10. Lucie Pudilova (8-2)
Her stock on the rise at 135 pounds, Pudilova has rattled off five wins in six appearances. The 24-year-old Czech last appeared at UFC Fight Night 126 in February, when she walked away with a unanimous decision over “The Ultimate Fighter 18” semifinalist Sarah Moras. With time on her side, Pudilova figures to improve as she gains more experience and develops her skills.Other Contenders: Irene Aldana, Bethe Correia, Sarah Kaufman, Yana Kunitskaya, Lina Lansberg
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