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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.3. Arlene Blencowe (11-7)
Blencowe was able to shake off the disappointment of a contentious loss to featherweight champion Julia Budd in a big way, as “Angerfist” scored a third-round stoppage of Top 10 featherweight Amber Leibrock at Bellator 206. Blencowe showcased her boxing skills for much of the bout but secured victory by slamming her way out of an armbar and pummeling a stunned Leibrock with follow-up punches on the mat. The 35-year-old Australian has won four of her last five bouts.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. Anderson will welcome Cat Zingano to the featherweight division at UFC 232 on Dec. 29.6. Felicia Spencer (6-0)
The fast-rising Spencer added some hardware to her trophy case at Invicta FC 32, as she submitted Pam Sorenson with a fourth-round rear-naked choke to claim the promotion’s vacant featherweight crown. “Feenom” has earned all six of her professional victories under the Invicta banner, with three of those triumphs coming by way of rear-naked choke.7. 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.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 (3-2)
Leibrock had some positive moments against Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 206, but she also showed that she still has plenty of room to grow. The 30-year-old Californian trapped Blencowe in an armbar in the third stanza of their bout, only to be slammed on her head and stopped by punches at the 1:23 mark of the period. That halted a two-fight winning streak for Leibrock, who has just five pro fights to her credit in a still-burgeoning career.10. Olga Rubin (5-0)
Israel’s Rubin scored a signature triumph on home soil, outpointing former UFC, Invicta and M-1 competitor Cindy Dandois at Bellator 209 in Tel Aviv on Nov. 15. Rubin’s ledger includes three victories under the Bellator MMA banner, making her an under-the-radar contender in the promotion’s featherweight division.Other Contenders: Cindy Dandois, Kaitlin Young, Reina Miura, Pam Sorenson, Larissa Pacheco.
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