Women’s Bantamweight
1. Amanda Nunes (13-4)
With Ronda Rousey’s yearlong absence from the UFC and the musical chairs atop the women’s 135-pound weight class, it seemed a foregone conclusion that whatever woman wanted to put her stamp on the division would ultimately need to have a showdown with Rousey. This has come to pass, as Nunes will stake her UFC title for the first time in the biggest bout of her career, welcoming the “Rowdy” one back to the Octagon at UFC 207 on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas.2. Valentina Shevchenko (13-2)
Following Shevchenko’s resounding five-round unanimous decision victory over former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm in July, it was clear that if she was not granted the promotion’s next title shot, it would be hard to find an opponent for her. Fortunately, even with Ronda Rousey being inserted into the UFC 207 slot against new champ Amanda Nune, Shevchenko has found a dance partner. Once again appearing in a UFC on Fox main event, the savvy Kyrgyz striker will take on hot up-and-comer Julianna Pena on Jan. 28 in Denver.3. Holly Holm (10-2)
How quickly fortunes change. A year ago at this time, Holm had just head kicked Ronda Rousey into oblivion. In that span, Holm has gone from mainstream media sensation to dethroned champ, courtesy of Miesha Tate in March. Now, she is just another contender after dropping a unanimous verdict to Valentina Shevchenko in the UFC on Fox 20 headliner in Chicago. With that said, Holm drew an impressive rating on Fox due to her exploits against Rousey, and there are still plenty of fights for the 35-year-old former boxing world champ, as she has had all of five bouts in the Octagon.4. Ronda Rousey (12-1)
It always seemed like a foregone conclusion that Rousey would get an immediate title shot whenever she returned from her devastating knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193. Unsurprisingly, that is exactly what has happened: Rousey returns to action at UFC 207 on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, challenging newly minted champion Amanda Nunes for the title she once held in what could prove to be a career-defining bout.5. Julianna Pena (8-2)
Following her domination of former UFC title challenger Cat Zingano at UFC 200 in July, the always-outspoken Pena was adamant that she was willing to wait around for a title shot. However, given Pena’s burning desire for a crack at the gold, “The Venezuelan Vixen” saw an opportunity to leap forward in the bantamweight pecking order and face the winner of Amanda Nunes-Ronda Rousey. Pena will now take on Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on Fox 23 in Denver on Jan. 28 in what amounts to a title eliminator.6. Raquel Pennington (9-5)
A modern example of the MMA throwback philosophy of learning on the job, Pennington came off of “The Ultimate Fighter” with a 3-3 pro MMA record. Since then, “Rocky” has gone 6-2 in the Octagon, including a four-fight winning streak that now features former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate. Pennington pounded on Tate for 15 minutes at UFC 205, claiming the biggest win of her pro career.7. Sara McMann (10-3)
After her August 2015 loss to now-champ Amanda Nunes, McMann had lost three of her last four, including a 66-second knockout loss to Ronda Rousey in her UFC title challenge. Just when it seemed the 36-year-old Olympic silver medal-winning wrestler had plateaued or started to regress, McMann stormed back. She dominated Jessica Eye in May before welcoming Alexis Davis back to the Octagon at “The Ultimate Fighter 24” Finale on Dec. 3, using a second-round arm-triangle choke to become the first woman to submit Davis in the cage.8. Cat Zingano (9-2)
Back from a 16-month absence, Zingano is now eligible to be ranked again, but the former UFC title challenger did not return on a positive note. Though “Alpha” started quickly against Julianna Pena at UFC 200, she could not keep up her wrestling attack, giving up her back in the second and third rounds, fending off rear-naked chokes until the final bell and losing a unanimous decision.9. Tonya Evinger (18-5, 1 NC)
Evinger’s Invicta Fighting Championships title defense on Nov. 18 turned into a debacle in a hurry, as challenger Yana Kunitskaya locked up an armbar. As Evinger put her foot on her foe’s face to defend, she was told by referee Mike England it was illegal -- which it is not -- and ended up tapping in the sequence. After public outcry, the Missouri Office of Athletics changed the result of the bout to a no-contest, erasing the loss from Evinger’s record and giving her back the Invicta title and spot in these rankings.10. Liz Carmouche (11-5)
Injuries have largely derailed Carmouche since her April 2014 loss to Miesha Tate, with the former UFC title challenger getting in just two bouts in the last 30 months. Nonetheless, Carmouche returned to form at UFC 205, grinding out a split decision over Katlyn Chookagian and overcoming some sticky situations on the feet.Other Contenders: Katlyn Chookagian, Alexis Davis, Germaine de Randamie, Ashlee Evans-Smith, Lauren Murphy
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