Women’s Featherweight
1. Cristiane Justino (20-1)
The carnage continues for “Cyborg” in the women’s featherweight division. With the UFC 222 card in need of a headliner and less than a month to prepare, the 33-year-old Brazilian stepped in to defend her title against former Invicta bantamweight queen Yana Kunitskaya. What transpired was something more resembling a sacrifice than athletic competition, as Justino rolled to a first-round TKO win against her overmatched Russian counterpart. A potential superfight against 135-pound titlist Amanda Nunes looms for Justino in the second half of 2018.2. Julia Budd (12-2)
Budd continued to cement her spot as the No. 2 female featherweight in the world, as she posted a dominant third-round technical knockout victory against Talita Nogueira in a title defense at Bellator 202. “The Jewel” has now won 10 consecutive fights since being submitted by Ronda Rousey in November 2011, and with finishes in two of her last three appearances, she is working to erase the “grinder” label that has been assigned to her in recent years. After dispatching Nogueira, Budd called for her next title defense to come against Conor McGregor training partner Sinead Kavanagh.3. Arlene Blencowe (10-7)
Three straight wins earned Blencowe a second crack at Julia Budd after losing a majority decision to “The Jewel” in October 2016. Her rematch with Budd came with the Bellator featherweight title on the line, but “Angerfist” lost a questionable split decision across 25 minutes on Dec. 1 and may struggle to get a third stab at Budd and second chance at the throne.4. Holly Holm (12-4)
Holm entered mixed martial arts known as a boxing world champion, but her skills have gradually evolved over the years. That was most evident at UFC 225, where the Jackson-Wink MMA representative outwrestled and outgrappled Octagon newcomer Megan Anderson in a relatively easy decision triumph. Not only did Holm end talks of Anderson as the next featherweight title challenger, but she set herself up for yet another high-profile bout down the road. Whether that comes at 135 or 145 pounds likely depends on the opportunities presented to the New Mexico native.5. Megan Anderson (8-3)
Any notion of Anderson as the next challenger for Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino went out the window at UFC 225. Despite possessing a size advantage, the 28-year-old Aussie was outwrestled and outgrappled by Holly Holm en route to a clear-cut unanimous decision loss. Holm was a significant step up in competition for Anderson, who had feasted on 145-pound opposition under the Invicta Fighting Championships banner. What comes next for Anderson is unclear, as the UFC women’s featherweight division is lacking for depth.6. Talita Nogueira (7-1)
Nogueira waited nearly three years for her shot at Julia Budd, but that extra time did not make her any more prepared for what awaited her against the reigning Bellator MMA featherweight queen. After nearly being finished by a knee to the body in the second stanza, Nogueira succumbed to a right hand and follow-up punches 4:07 into the third round. Positive moments were few and far between for the Brazilian, who had finished her first seven foes.7. Felicia Spencer (5-0)
Spencer’s stock continued to rise at Invicta Fighting Championships 30, where she submitted Helena Kolesnyk with a rear-naked choke 1:47 into the second round of the co-main event. Spencer improved to 5-0 -- all under the Invicta banner -- with the win. A UFC deal could be imminent after the 27-year-old called out Megan Anderson during her post-fight interview.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 TKO stoppage of UFC veteran Alexis Dufresne in March 2017 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 replaced by the aforementioned Bell.10. Amber Leibrock (3-1)
Leibrock made her Bellator MMA debut at Bellator 199 on May 12, as she took a unanimous decision from Janay Harding and recorded her second straight win. Better yet, it allowed the 30-year-old Combat Sports Academy rep to further distance herself from a January 2016 technical knockout defeat to Megan Anderson under the Invicta Fighting Championships banner.Other Contenders: Jozette Cotton, Cindy Dandois, Sinead Kavanagh, Reina Miura, Pam Sorenson.
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