Women’s Featherweight
1. Cristiane Justino (17-1, 1 NC)
When “Cyborg” tested positive for spironolactone in a United States Anti-Doping Agency drug screen in December, it looked like the Invicta Fighting Championships featherweight titleholder may have her ongoing UFC plans thwarted. Instead, the USADA granted Justino a retroactive therapeutic use exemption for her spironolactone use, which she claimed was prescribed by a physician for post-weight cut recovery. Now, the Brazilian can go back to calling out UFC women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie in hopes of securing a title shot.2. Julia Budd (10-2)
Bellator MMA crowned Budd its first women’s featherweight champion on March 3. The British Columbia native was too big and too physical for MMA pioneer Marloes Coenen, as “The Jewel” battered the Dutch fighter to a fourth-round stoppage and into retirement following the bout.3. Megan Anderson (8-2)
The interim Invicta featherweight titleholder, Anderson has knocked out her last four foes; and with Cristiane Justino’s forthcoming UFC ventures, she is due to be promoted to full champion. With that said, the 27-year-old Anderson is a charismatic, exciting striker and natural 145-pounder, so her own passage to the UFC in the future seems secure, as well.4. Germaine de Randamie (7-3)
While it came in a quickly cobbled-together title fight to crown the first UFC women’s featherweight champion, de Randamie got her breakthrough MMA win at UFC 208 in Brooklyn, New York, where she won a unanimous verdict over former bantamweight queen Holly Holm. The win makes de Randamie just the second Dutch champion in UFC history, following after former heavyweight titleholder Bas Rutten in May 1999. The victory figures to put “The Iron Lady” on a collision course with divisional ruler Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino.5. Charmaine Tweet (9-6)
Tweet’s sensational spinning back fist knockout of the previously unbeaten Latoya Walker in May earned her a crack at the interim Invicta featherweight title on Jan. 14. However, in the main event of Invicta 21, the Saskatchewan, Canada, native was head kicked and knocked out by rising stalwart Megan Anderson. Tweet’s last three losses have come to divisional standouts Anderson, Cristiane Justino and Julia Budd.6. Latoya Walker (5-1)
Walker started her pro career a dominant and sterling 5-0 but took her first career loss in May and did so in highlight-reel fashion. The 37-year-old Austin, Texas, native ate an awesome spinning back fist from Charmaine Tweet and suffered her first defeat at just 3:41 of the first round.7. Arlene Blencowe (8-6)
Blencowe has gone 2-2 during her Bellator MMA tenure, taking wins over Adrienna Jenkins and Gabrielle Holloway while dropping losses to divisional elites Julia Budd and Marloes Coenen. Most recently, “Angerfist” took a fight at 135 pounds on Jan. 28 in her native Australia, knocking out Janay Harding in just 68 seconds.8. Helena Kolesnyk (4-0, 1 NC)
Ukrainian kickboxing standout Kolesnyk is still largely an MMA neophyte but stepped up her activity in the sport in 2016, fighting four times for China’s WBK promotion while staying undefeated, albeit with the help of a fortunate no-contest. Nonetheless, Kolesnyk is 27 years old, exciting to watch and, frankly, is nicknamed “Pretty” for a reason, which could make her a compelling free agent for the UFC or Bellator MMA going forward.9. Amanda Bell (4-4)
Bell on Feb. 4 fought under the King of the Cage banner in Lincoln City, Oregon, and picked up a unanimous decision over Bellator MMA veteran Gabrielle Holloway. The victory straightened out Bell’s pro record at .500, and while it may not sound like much, “The Ladykiller” is 4-2 in her last six appearances, with her losses coming to budding star Megan Anderson and veteran Faith van Duin, who has since moved to 135 pounds.10. Gabrielle Holloway (6-5)
The 145-pound focus at Bellator 174 was the inaugural women’s title bout between Julia Budd and Marloes Coenen in the main event. Nonetheless, on the undercard, Holloway earned the biggest win of her pro career, as she broke a two-fight skid by pounding out UFC veteran Alexis Dufresne in the second round. As a result, she figures to be a contender in Bellator’s nascent women’s featherweight division.Other Contenders: Martyna Czech, Amber Leibrock, Leah Letson, Jessica Miele, Iony Razafiarison.
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