Sherdog’s Top 10: Best Fighters Never to Compete in the UFC
Mike SloanFeb 24, 2016
Many consider “Cyborg” the top female fighter in the sport, and if the reigning Invicta Fighting Championships featherweight titleholder ever finds her way to the UFC, perhaps she will get the chance to prove it. Until then, hypotheticals will reign.
Justino has developed into a frightening striker known for overwhelming opponents with power, speed and aggression. After losing in her professional MMA debut, the Chute Boxe terror has gone 15-0, with one no-contest. She has finished eight of those 15 wins inside one round, ripping up the competition in EliteXC, Strikeforce and Invicta. She took home the inaugural Strikeforce women’s featherweight championship by battering Gina Carano to a TKO in 2009. Carano has not fought since, choosing to go the safer, more lucrative Hollywood route.
Currently the centerpiece of the Invicta organization, “Cyborg” has beaten her last three opponents -- Charmaine Tweet, Faith Van Duin and Daria Ibragimova -- in less than seven minutes combined.
Number 2 » Shinya Aoki