Women’s Bantamweight
1. Amanda Nunes (23-5) | UFC [1]
Nunes was rarely threatened in a lopsided unanimous decision triumph over Irene Aldana in the UFC 289 headliner, and she capped off that performance by announcing her retirement from mixed martial arts. “Lioness” exits the sport as a two-division champion and arguably the most accomplished female fighter of all-time with a resume that includes wins over the likes of Cristiane Justino, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, Germaine de Randamie and Julianna Pena. While Nunes leaves a potential trilogy with Pena on the table, she really had nothing left to accomplish in a decorated career. If her retirement holds up, Nunes’ rankings eligibility will expire on June 10, 2024.2. Julianna Pena (11-5) | UFC [2]
The fairy tale ended for Pena at UFC 277, as she was battered and dominated for five rounds in a clear-cut unanimous decision loss to Amanda Nunes in their bantamweight championship rematch at American Airlines Arena in Dallas. Pena’s grit was on full display against her “Ultimate Fighter 30” coaching counterpart, but other than a few fleeting moments of success, the fight belonged to Nunes. Thanks to her massive upset of the two-division champ in their first meeting, “The Venezuelan Vixen” was booked for an immediate rubber match at UFC 289, but it fell through when Pena withdrew with a reported rib injury. She was replaced by Irene Aldana but seems unlikely to fall far from the immediate title picture, no matter who is holding the belt when she is ready to return.3. Raquel Pennington (15-8) | UFC [3]
Pennington maintained her foothold in the bantamweight division at UFC Fight Night 217, as she garnered a hard-fought — and somewhat contentious — split decision victory against Ketlen Vieira at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas in the promotion’s first event of 2023. That makes five consecutive victories for “Rocky,” who is still a top contender at 135 pounds. Pennington had been slated to rematch Irene Aldana in the main event of UFC Fight Night 223 on May 20, but Aldana was drafted into a June title shot, resulting in the cancellation of the bout.4. Holly Holm (15-6) | UFC [5]
Holm kicked off her new six-fight contract in style, as she relied on takedowns and control to cruise to a dominant three-round verdict over former training partner Yana Santos in the UFC on ESPN 43 co-main event. Were it not for a contentious split-decision loss to Ketlen Vieira, the Jackson-Wink MMA standout could easily be in the midst of a four-fight winning streak. Despite that setback, a recent resume that also includes wins over Raquel Pennington and Irene Aldana has “The Preacher’s Daughter” right in the thick of things at 135 pounds. She’ll look to continue that momentum against Mayra Bueno Silva in the UFC on ESPN 49 headliner.5. Irene Aldana (14-8) | UFC [4]
Aldana entered UFC 289 with the opportunity to continue the momentum that Mexican counterparts Yair Rodriguez and Alex Grasso built with championship wins earlier in 2023. Instead, Aldana offered a lackluster performance in Vancouver, often looking inexplicably hesitant to engage in a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Amanda Nunes in the evening’s bantamweight championship headliner. Nunes’ ensuing retirement means that Aldana’s path back to the top might not be as arduous as it would have been, but the visuals from that defeat mean she’ll still have plenty of work to do to earn another title shot.6. Ketlen Vieira (13-3) | UFC [6]
It was close but not quite for Vieira, who dropped a split decision to Raquel Pennington in a featured bout at UFC Fight Night 217. While many observers felt the Brazilian deserved the nod on the scorecards, it’s still nonetheless a momentum killer for a fighter who was coming off back-to-back triumphs over ex-champions Holly Holm and Miesha Tate. A victory over Pennington might have propelled Vieira to the top of the contender’s queue. Instead, it appears the Nova Uniao product still has more work to do at 135 pounds.7. Yana Santos (14-7, 1 NC) | UFC [7]
Santos missed an opportunity to make a statement at 135 pounds, as she was overwhelmed by the grappling and top control of Holly Holm in a unanimous decision defeat at UFC on ESPN 43. The former Invicta FC title holder has now lost back-to-back fights for the first time in her professional career and faces an uphill climb to get back into the title discussion in the division.8. Pannie Kianzad (16-6) | UFC [8]
Kianzad was successful in her lone venture of 2022, as she outpointed Lina Lansberg at UFC on ESPN 34 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. “Banzai” has quietly been victorious in five of her last six bantamweight appearances in the Octagon, a run that includes triumphs over former title challengers Alexis Davis and Bethe Correia. Kianzad herself still has some work to do to reach the top of the division, but her recent track record makes her one to keep an eye on in the coming months. Next, she’ll face fellow contender Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 224.9. Karol Rosa (16-5) | UFC [9]
Rosa was competitive — but ultimately unsuccessful — in her venture to featherweight, as she dropped a unanimous decision to Norma Dumont at UFC Fight Night 222. With five wins in seven Octagon appearances, the 28-year-old Rosa still has plenty of options, including a potential return to the bantamweight division.10. Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1) | UFC [10]
Silva extended her Octagon winning streak to three with a second-round kneebar of Lina Lansberg at UFC Fight Night 219 on Feb. 18. With a resume that includes submission victories over the likes of Lansberg, Stephanie Egger, Mara Romero Borella and Gillian Robertson, “Sheetara” is an intriguing talent in a shallow division. She’ll attempt to add a signature win to her record when she meets Holly Holm at UFC on ESPN 49.Other Contenders:Miesha Tate, Alexis Davis, Talita Bernardo, Lucie Pudilova, Taneisha Tennant.
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