Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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. Next up: A superfight against 135-pound titlist Amanda Nunes is finally official for UFC 232 on Dec. 29.

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. Blencowe’s next assignment will come against Amber Leibrock at Bellator 206 on Sept. 29.

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. While the 27-year-old called out Megan Anderson during her post-fight interview, a UFC deal will have to wait, as Spencer will meet Pam Sorenson for the vacant Invicta FC featherweight crown on Nov. 16.

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, 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. 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. Leibrock has a chance to make headway in the rankings when she faces former title challenger Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 206 on Sept. 29.

10. Cindy Dandois(12-3)

Dandois has thrived since a one-and-done stop in the UFC, winning her last four bouts — including triumphs in Cage Warriors and Rizin Fighting Federation. The nomadic “Battlecat,” who owns wins over the likes of Megan Anderson, Jessamyn Duke and Marloes Coenen, will make her Bellator MMA debut against the unbeaten Olga Rubin at Bellator 209 on Nov. 15.

Other Contenders: Jozette Cotton, Sinead Kavanagh, Reina Miura, Pam Sorenson,Larissa Pacheco .

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