Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Women’s Bantamweight
1. Julianna Pena (12-5) | UFC [1]
Returning to action at UFC 307 after more than two years away, “The Venezuelan Vixen” picked up right where she left off, edging out Raquel Pennington by split decision to reclaim the title she lost in July 2022. In so doing, the 35-year-old Washington state native became one of the unlikeliest two-time champs in UFC history, proving that when healthy, she can hold her own with anyone. While she used her moment in the spotlight to try and goad retired former champ Amanda Nunes into a rubber match, it seems much more likely that the first title defense of her second reign will be either a rematch with Pennington, or against surging newcomer Kayla Harrison.2. Raquel Pennington (16-9) | UFC [2]
Pennington’s storybook title run came to an end – at least for now – as she surrendered the belt to Julianna Pena in a hard-fought split decision at UFC 307. The razor-close fight obliged “Rocky” with the kind of grimy grind that normally favors her, but she nonetheless came up short. “Rocky” does not figure to fall far from the title picture, though she may have to wait until dominant newcomer Kayla Harrison has her say.3. Kayla Harrison (18-1) UFC [3]
It may not have been quite as stunning as her destruction of Holly Holm in her UFC debut in April, but Harrison’s win over Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 was another important step toward a title shot in her new promotion and new division. Against Vieira, a judo black belt herself and one of the strongest, most physically imposing women in the division, Harrison managed some high-amplitude throws and was completely dominant once things were on the ground. The former Olympic gold medalist and PFL champ has made no bones about her ambition to win gold in the UFC, and the win over Vieira might just be enough to earn her a shot at newly crowned champ Julianna Pena.4. Macy Chiasson (10-3) | UFC [4]
Chiasson showcased a dangerous aspect to her game at UFC 303, as she opened a gaping wound on Mayra Bueno Silva’s forehead with a perfectly placed elbow from top position in the second round of their clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 29. That blow ultimately led to a doctor stoppage, giving Chiasson a significant win over a former title challenger. After spending the entirety of 2023 on the sidelines, the Fortis MMA product has kicked off her current campaign with back-to-back triumphs over Pannie Kianzad and Bueno Silva.5. Norma Dumont (12-2) | UFC [5]
Dumont continued her ascent in the bantamweight division, as she thoroughly outstruck former title challenger Irene Aldana over the course of three rounds in a clear-cut unanimous decision triumph at UFC 306. The Brazilian has won back-to-back fights at 135 pounds over Germaine de Randamie and Aldana, putting her on the short list of top contenders in the weight class. Dumont has won five straight UFC appearances overall, a streak that includes victories at both bantamweight and featherweight.6. Holly Holm (15-7, 1 NC) | UFC [6]
Holm employed a questionable game plan against Kayla Harrison and paid the price at UFC 300, suffering a second-round submission loss to the two-time Olympic judo gold medalist. While some might have expected “The Preacher’s Daughter” to rely on her striking skills, she instead elected to clinch and was overwhelmed by a powerful foe who previously competed at 155 pounds. While a win would have kept Holm in the title picture, the 42-year-old Jackson-Wink MMA standout has now won just one of her last four Octagon appearances.7. Irene Aldana (15-8) | UFC [7]
Aldana displayed plenty of heart against Norma Dumont in their bantamweight clash at Noche UFC, but she was outstruck by a whopping 159-to-69 count over the course of three rounds — and also received a nasty gash on her forehead due to an accidental clash of heads — in a unanimous decision defeat. The 36-year-old Lobo Gym MMA product has lost two of her last three outings and has some work to do if she hopes to receive another title shot before the end of her UFC career.8. Ketlen Vieira (14-4) | UFC [8]
Heading into her high-stakes matchup with Kayla Harrison at UFC 307, Vieira was adamant that she would not be intimidated by her foe’s brute strength and judo credentials. That may have been true, but she was overwhelmed by them nonetheless, as she was unable to stop the former Olympian from tossing her head over heels and mauling her on the ground. While Vieira remains a solid Top 10 contender, she has now come up short both times she has found herself in probable title eliminator fights.9. Karol Rosa (18-6) | UFC [9]
One fight removed from an entertaining loss to Irene Aldana at UFC 296, Rosa returned to the win column at UFC on ESPN 61, as she bloodied and battered Pannie Kianzad en route to a unanimous decision triumph at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Aug. 10. The Brazilian cut her foe open with elbows in the clinch and hindered Kianzad’s movement with low kicks at range in an impressive overall performance. Rosa has won seven of her 10 Octagon appearances since making her promotional debut in 2019 and will return to action against Ailin Perez at UFC 311.10. Yana Santos (15-8, 1 NC) | UFC [10]
Santos took out her frustrations on an overweight Chelsea Chandler at UFC on ESPN 61, outstriking her opponent en route to a unanimous decision triumph at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Aug. 10. That snaps a three-bout skid for the Russian, who was coming off a split-decision defeat to Karol Rosa in a foray to 145 pounds. The American Top Team product only needs to string a few more wins together to reach contender status in a perpetually shallow weight class.Other Contenders: Talita Bernardo, Mayra Bueno Silva, Pannie Kianzad, Miesha Tate, Jacqueline Cavalcanti.
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