Women’s Featherweight
1. Cristiane Justino (18-1, 1 NC)
Do not think for a second that Justino’s truculent personality is going to disappear just because she is now the UFC women’s featherweight champion. Since UFC President Dana White stated that former bantamweight titleholder Holly Holm would likely be the first challenger for the 32-year-old Brazilian, “Cyborg” has been on the offensive, publicly complaining about the UFC offering her less money for a fight with Holm than she made in her win over Tonya Evinger in July. Now that the fight is being negotiated, “Cyborg” and Holm have taken to calling out one another over who has been more rigorously tested by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.2. Julia Budd (10-2)
Budd is a perfect 4-0 inside the Bellator MMA cage, yet despite capturing the inaugural title against Marloes Coenen in March, the Dutch pioneer was not Budd’s toughest fight in the promotion. That honor goes to little-known Australian Arlene Blencowe, a woman against whom Budd slipped past via majority decision in October 2016. Now, they will run it back, as Budd defends her title against Blencowe at Bellator 189 on Dec. 1.3. Megan Anderson (8-2)
With her exciting striking skills and massive potential, Anderson's transitioning from Invicta champ to the UFC was only a matter of time. Thanks to a grassroots campaign between both fighters -- and Germaine de Randamie's refusal to fight Cristiane Justino -- Anderson was lined up to fight "Cyborg" for the vacant 145-pound title at UFC 214. However, the Aussie up-and-comer then pulled out of the bout, citing personal issues and putting her Octagon debut on hold.4. Arlene Blencowe (10-6)
Australia’s Blencowe has gone 4-1 over the last two years, her lone loss in that span coming in the form of a competitive majority decision to current Bellator MMA champion Julia Budd. Coming off of a split verdict over Ireland’s Sinead Kavanagh in August, “Angerfist” will get the opportunity to avenge the Budd loss and pick up a title belt in the process, as she will rematch “The Jewel” for the Bellator women’s featherweight title at Bellator 189 on Dec. 1.5. Germaine de Randamie (7-3)
De Randamie will ultimately go down in MMA history for her brief, aborted and all-around surreal reign as the UFC’s inaugural women’s featherweight champion, but “The Iron Lady” seems to have already moved on. De Randamie was targeting a return to 135 pounds at UFC Fight Night 115 in her native Netherlands in September, but a lingering hand injury forced her out of a contest with Marion Reneau. With her hand now healed, the Dutch kickboxing star will get an even tougher assignment in her bantamweight return when she faces the unbeaten Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 125 on Feb. 3 in Belem, Brazil.6. Charmaine Tweet (9-6)
Tweet’s sensational spinning back fist knockout of the previously unbeaten Latoya Walker last 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.7. Talita Nogueira (7-0)
After two and a half cruel years of inactivity due to injuries, opponents' injuries and missing weight, Nogueira is making the most of her health. She had her first bout in nearly four years on Aug. 25, choking out Amanda Bell in the first round at Bellator 182. Just a month later, she returned in grappling action, taking a silver medal at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships in Espoo, Finland. There, she finished second to legendary powerhouse Gabi Garcia in the 132-pounds-and-over category.8. Amanda Bell (5-5)
Never afraid of a challenge -- her .500 record reflects as much -- Bell was eager to jump in the cage against undefeated Brazilian Talita Nogueira at Bellator 182 on Aug. 25, this after Gabrielle Holloway went down to injury. Unfortunately, Bell's submission defense let her down, as “Treta” got the advantage on the floor and choked her out in the first round, breaking Bell's bid for three wins in a row.9. Gabrielle Holloway (6-5)
Coming off of back-to-back losses to fellow ranked fighters Arlene Blencowe and Amanda Bell, Holloway's March TKO stoppage of UFC veteran Alexis Dufresne gave her the breakout win of her career. Unfortunately, “The Gabanator” will have to wait to put some momentum together, as she was forced out of her slated Aug. 25 bout at Bellator 182 with Talita Nogueira due to an injury and was replaced by the aforementioned Bell.10. Ediane Gomes (11-4)
In search of her first win in over four years, Gomes returned to the featherweight division after going 0-2 at 135 pounds. “India” made the most of the chance, soundly besting the tough Pam Sorenson over 15 minutes at Invicta 23 and putting herself back on the map at 145 pounds.Other Contenders: Martyna Czech, Helena Kolesnyk, Amber Leibrock, Pam Sorenson, Felicia Spencer.
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