Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Women’s Strawweight
1. Weili Zhang (23-3) | UFC [3]
Zhang regained the strawweight throne with a second-round submission of Carla Esparza in the UFC 281 co-main event. The Chinese standout outclassed her wrestling-minded foe on the feet and on the ground and has now rebounded from back-to-back losses to Rose Namajunas in 2021 with emphatic victories over Esparza and Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Given their recent history, it’s possible that a trilogy with Namajunas could be in store for the Fight Ready export.2. Carla Esparza (19-7) | UFC [1]
Esparza’s second reign as strawweight champion was as short-lived as the first, as she relinquished the crown to Weili Zhang in a second-round submission defeat in the UFC 281 co-main event. “Cookie Monster” rebuilt her career after the first title bout loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk in 2015, and it’s possible she could rise to the top again — especially if the title changes hands. After having a six-bout winning streak snapped in defeat, Esparza will be in line to face another highly ranked foe in her next outing.3. Rose Namajunas (11-5) | UFC [2]
Namajunas gave one of the most perplexing performances by a defending champion in recent memory, as she refused to engage for the majority of 25 minutes against Carla Esparza in a split decision loss in the UFC 274 co-main event. Though Esparza didn’t do much to force the issue, the “Cookie Monster” did just enough to get the nod from two cageside judges and improve to 2-0 against “Thug” Rose. Namajunas may have new life in the division after Weili Zhang vanquished Esparza in the UFC 281 co-main event.4. Jessica Andrade (23-9) | UFC [4]
After a three-bout stint at 125 pounds that saw her fail in a bid to capture championship gold against Valentina Shevchenko, Andrade made an impressive return to strawweight with a first-round submission of surging contender Amanda Lemos in the UFC Fight Night 205 main event on April 23. Not only did Andrade reassert herself as a person of interest in the division, but she also authored the first standing arm-triangle choke submission in the history of the Las Vegas-based promotion. Andrade will return against Lauren Murphy in a flyweight clash at UFC 283.5. Amanda Lemos (13-2-1) | UFC [5]
Lemos made a statement at UFC Fight Night 214 on Nov. 5, blasting Marina Rodriguez with punches for a standing TKO in the third round of their main event clash. In snapping Rodriguez’s four-fight win streak, “Amandinha” stole much of her foe’s upward momentum in the division and put her own April loss to Jessica Andrade further in the rear view. Now 7-1 in the UFC since dropping from bantamweight, Lemos will be a very interested observer of the Nov. 12 title fight between Carla Esparza and Weili Zhang.6. Marina Rodriguez (16-2-2) | UFC [6]
Rodriguez was probably the division’s fastest-rising contender ahead of her Nov. 5 meeting with Amanda Lemos, but that trajectory—and her streak of four straight wins—came to a thudding halt under a hail of punches from her countrywoman. Nonetheless, the 35-year-old muay thai stylist, as one of the top fighters in the division not to have fought for a title yet, should get plenty of chances to regroup, beginning with her next matchup, whenever it is announced.7. Xiaonan Yan (16-3, 1 NC) | UFC [7]
Yan secured a much-needed victory in the UFC Fight Night 211 headliner, halting a two-bout skid with a majority decision over Mackenzie Dern at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Oct. 1. The 33-year-old China native known as “Fury” began her promotional tenure with six consecutive triumphs before dropping back-to-back fights at the hands of Carla Esparza and Marina Rodriguez. Her latest triumph helps keep her relevant in a talented division.8. Amanda Ribas (11-3) | UFC [8]
Ribas was quite game in a venture to the flyweight division, dropping a competitive split decision to perennial contender Katlyn Chookagian at UFC on ESPN 36. While the Brazilian already owns wins over the likes of Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba at 115 pounds, she was planning on remaining in the flyweight division for the time being for a clash with Tracy Cortez at UFC on ESPN 42. However, that bout was canceled after weigh-ins due to a medical issue for Ribas’ opponent. Ribas will to action at UFC 285 against Viviane Araujo in another flyweight affair.9. Mackenzie Dern (12-3) | UFC [9]
While Dern had her moments against Xiaonan Yan, it wasn’t enough to sway the scorecards in her favor, as she dropped a majority decision in the UFC Fight Night 211 headliner on Oct. 1. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt had the look of a rising contender while she compiled a four-bout winning streak from May 2020 to April 2021, but after losing two of her last three Octagon appearances, Dern has fallen down the pecking order somewhat at 115 pounds.10. Tecia Torres (13-6) | UFC [10]
Torres showcased composure under fire as she survived a couple harrowing positions in the second round of her UFC 273 clash with Mackenzie Dern, but ultimately “The Tiny Tornado” wound up on the wrong end of the scorecards in a contentious split-decision defeat. That snaps a three-bout winning streak for the American Top Team export, who has rebounded admirably from a four-fight skid suffered from February 2018 to August 2019. After announcing a pregnancy with wife Raquel Pennington, Torres isn’t expected to return to active competition until 2024.Other Contenders: Virna Jandiroba, Seo Hee Ham, Angela Lee, Nong Stamp Fairtex, Angela Hill.
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