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Women’s Flyweight
1. Valentina Shevchenko (17-3)
Entering UFC 238 as a huge favorite, Shevchenko authored a “Knockout of the Year” candidate with a head kick that instantly removed Jessica Eye from consciousness in the evening’s co-headliner. After claiming the vacant crown with a five-round verdict over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in what might be her toughest matchup at 125 pounds, Shevchenko showed why she could be destined for a lengthy reign atop the division with her first successful title defense. “Bullet” has won five of her last six promotional outings, with a narrow split decision setback in a bantamweight title clash with Amanda Nunes the only blemish on her ledger during that period. Her next belt defense will come against former bantamweight title challenger Liz Carmouche in the UFC Uruguay headliner on Aug. 10.2. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (10-0)
Macfarlane had her hands full with Veta Arteaga at Bellator 220, but a powerful elbow from top position in third round quickly changed the course of the fight. The blow opened up a massive cut on Arteaga’s forehead, and moments later, a doctor entered the cage to halt the contest to give Macfarlane her third successful title defense. In her post-fight interview, “The Ilimanator” expressed a desire to give Arteaga an immediate rematch due to the nature of the stoppage. Regardless of what lies ahead, Macfarlane remains one of the brightest rising stars in the California-based promotion.3. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (15-3)
Once regarded as the top female pound-for-pound talent in the sport, Jedrzejczyk now finds herself looking up at the top of two separate divisions following a loss to Valentina Shevchenko for the vacant flyweight strap at UFC 231. While the 31-year-old Poland native showed no quit in the bout, she simply had no clear answers for her opponent over the course of the 25-minute affair. Jedrzejczyk will return to 115 pounds for her next Octagon appearance when she faces Michelle Waterson at UFC Fight Night in San Francisco on Oct. 12.4. Liz Carmouche (13-6)
Carmouche relied on a grinding approach to outpoint former bantamweight competitor Lucie Pudilova at UFC Prague, landing multiple takedowns en route to a unanimous decision victory in hostile territory. The former bantamweight title challenger has now earned back-to-back triumphs over Pudilova and Jennifer Maia at 125 pounds and has won four of her last five Octagon appearances overall. Carmouche will get a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko in the UFC Uruguay main event on Aug. 10.5. Jennifer Maia (17-5-1)
The stakes were different, but it was a similar result for Maia against Roxanne Modafferi at UFC on ESPN 4. After defeating “The Happy Warrior” via split decision in a title bout at Invicta FC 19 in September 2016, Maia captured a unanimous verdict in a rematch in San Antonio on July 20 — sweeping the scorecards by identical 30-27 counts. Maia did come in three pounds above the flyweight limit for the bout, taking some of the luster off her victory. The 30-year-old Brazilian has nonetheless won seven of her last eight pro bouts, including two of three in the UFC.6. Aga Niedzwiedz (10-1)
Niedzwiedz did not leave Invicta 26 with the company’s flyweight title, but the Polish prospect could have easily done so, losing a razor-thin unanimous decision to incumbent champion Jennifer Maia. It was the first career loss for “Kuma,” but at just 22 years old and full of untapped potential, the Grappling Krakow product figures to be an elite flyweight for the foreseeable future.7. Vanessa Porto (21-8)
Porto claimed the vacant Invicta Fighting Championships flyweight crown with a technical decision victory over UFC veteran Pearl Gonzalez in the Invicta FC 34 main event on Feb. 15. Porto controlled the contest with punching combinations, leg kicks and takedowns, leading her to a clear-cut victory even though the bout ended midway through the fourth frame following an inadvertent eye poke from Gonzalez. Porto, who had come up short in her previous two attempts to claim Invicta FC gold, has posted a 6-2 mark in her last eight bouts.8. Katlyn Chookagian (12-2)
After weathering numerous leg kicks from Joanne Calderwood in the opening stanza of their bout at UFC 238, Chookagian rallied behind a consistent right hand to capture a unanimous verdict in Chicago. The 30-year-old “Blonde Fighter” has won three of her four Octagon appearances since moving down from bantamweight.9. Joanne Calderwood (13-4)
Calderwood entered UFC 238 on a two-fight winning streak and primed to announce herself as a serious contender at 125 pounds. After reddening the inside of Katlyn Chookagian leg’s with low kicks in the opening stanza, “JoJo” faded over the final two rounds to lose a unanimous decision. Calderwood will attempted to rebound against rising flyweight contender Andrea Lee at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.10. Andrea Lee (11-2)
Despite calling it “probably the worst fight I’ve ever had,” Lee managed to outpoint Montana De La Rosa for her third consecutive promotional triumph at UFC Greenville. It was the seventh consecutive victory overall for the former Legacy Fighting Alliance and Invicta FC competitor, and in a division where a three-fight winning streak recently netted Jessica Eye a title shot, “KGB” has the looks of a future title contender. First, she’ll have to get past Joanne Calderwood at UFC 242.Other Contenders: Roxanne Modafferi, Jessica Eye, Molly McCann, Rin Nakai, Sijara Eubanks.
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