Women’s Bantamweight
1. Ronda Rousey (10-0)
The world’s top female fighter notched yet another blistering victory at UFC 175. This time, it was Alexis Davis who had the misfortune of crossing Rousey’s path, and the UFC women’s bantamweight ace made Davis pay with a 16-second knockout. While the notion was broached of having the “Rowdy” one make a quick turnaround to headline UFC 176, Rousey will have to spend some time on the sidelines, as she is already scheduled for minor knee surgery.2. Cat Zingano (8-0)
Despite her status as the UFC’s official No. 1 contender, Zingano has been kept away from the cage for more than a year due to serious injury and personal tragedy. “Alpha” has recently stated she is back to training and ready for a fight with Ronda Rousey. Instead of waiting for the women’s champion to heal from knee surgery, Zingano will return to the cage for a showdown with Amanda Nunes at UFC 178.3. Sara McMann (7-1)
McMann was touted as Ronda Rousey’s toughest test to date, but that notion evaporated quickly when a knee to the liver folded the Olympic silver medalist in just 66 seconds at UFC 170. Still, with her wrestling pedigree, McMann is serious threat to any woman at 135 pounds. McMann will look to climb back into contention when she welcomes Invicta Fighting Championships titleholder Lauren Murphy to the UFC on Aug. 16.4. Alexis Davis (16-6)
To say things did not go Davis’ way at UFC 175 would be a massive understatement. The Canadian saw her five-fight winning streak snapped in brutal fashion when she was ragdolled to the ground and punched unconscious by Ronda Rousey in just 16 seconds.5. Miesha Tate (14-5)
It took three tries, but Tate earned her first Octagon triumph at the expense of Liz Carmouche at UFC on Fox 11 in Orlando. “Cupcake” started slowly, but more aggressive striking and an active submission game allowed the former Strikeforce champion to turn the corner in the second half of the bout and capture a unanimous verdict. Tate’s next bout will come in Japan, where she will locks horns with Queen of Pancrase -- and YouTube curiosity -- Rin Nakai at a UFC Fight Night event on Sept. 20.6. Sarah Kaufman (17-2, 1 NC)
Kaufman put on a striking clinic against Leslie Smith to garner her first UFC triumph at “The Ultimate Fighter Nations” Finale. The ex-Strikeforce titlist overwhelmed Smith with volume and accuracy over the course of their three-round encounter, landing multi-punch combinations, knees to the body and kicks to the legs en route to recording a unanimous verdict.7. Jessica Eye (10-2, 1 NC)
February was a bad month for “Evil” Eye. First, the 27-year-old Ohioan had the biggest win of her career erased when the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation revealed that Eye tested positive for marijuana metabolites following her October bout with Sarah Kaufman. Eye was still allowed to face Alexis Davis at UFC 170 but wound up on the wrong end of a questionable split decision.8. Lauren Murphy (8-0)
Murphy defeated all comers in the Invicta Fighting Championships bantamweight division, outlasting Miriam Nakamoto in December to become the promotion’s inaugural 135-pound titleholder. The 30-year-old Alaskan will look to duplicate that success in the Octagon when she makes her UFC debut against Sara McMann on Aug. 16 in Maine.9. Liz Carmouche (9-5)
Rumored to be nursing an injury heading into her UFC on Fox 11 clash with Miesha Tate, “Girl-rilla” nonetheless did a decent job of controlling her foe through takedowns and wrestling in the early going. However, Tate gradually asserted herself down the stretch to hand Carmouche her third loss in four UFC appearances.10. Jessica Andrade (11-3)
In securing her second straight Octagon win at UFC 171, Andrade showed exactly why she is one of the women’s bantamweight division’s most exciting young prospects. The 22-year-old Brazilian used nonstop aggression and heavy punches to overwhelm Raquel Pennington for the better part of two rounds, earning Andrade a split decision. Andrade will next face Valerie Letourneau at a UFC Fight Night event on Sept. 13.Other Contenders: Bethe Correia, Tonya Evinger, Holly Holm, Rin Nakai, Amanda Nunes.