Women’s Bantamweight
1. Amanda Nunes (23-5) | UFC [1]
Nunes was rarely threatened in a lopsided unanimous decision triumph over Irene Aldana in the UFC 289 headliner, and she capped off that performance by announcing her retirement from mixed martial arts. “Lioness” exits the sport as a two-division champion and arguably the most accomplished female fighter of all-time with a resume that includes wins over the likes of Cristiane Justino, Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, Germaine de Randamie and Julianna Pena. While Nunes leaves a potential trilogy with Pena on the table, she really had nothing left to accomplish in a decorated career. If her retirement holds up, Nunes’ rankings eligibility will expire on June 10, 2024.2. Julianna Pena (11-5) | UFC [2]
The fairy tale ended for Pena at UFC 277, as she was battered and dominated for five rounds in a clear-cut unanimous decision loss to Amanda Nunes in their bantamweight championship rematch at American Airlines Arena in Dallas. Pena’s grit was on full display against her “Ultimate Fighter 30” coaching counterpart, but other than a few fleeting moments of success, the fight belonged to Nunes. Thanks to her massive upset of the two-division champ in their first meeting, “The Venezuelan Vixen” was booked for an immediate rubber match at UFC 289, but it fell through when Pena withdrew with a reported rib injury. She was replaced by Irene Aldana but seems unlikely to fall far from the immediate title picture, no matter who is holding the belt when she is ready to return.3. Raquel Pennington (15-8) | UFC [3]
Pennington maintained her foothold in the bantamweight division at UFC Fight Night 217, as she garnered a hard-fought — and somewhat contentious — split decision victory against Ketlen Vieira at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas in the promotion’s first event of 2023. That makes five consecutive victories for “Rocky,” who is still a top contender at 135 pounds. Pennington will get her second opportunity at UFC gold when she faces Mayra Bueno Silva for the vacant bantamweight crown at UFC 297 in Toronto.4. Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1, 1 NC) | UFC [4]
Silva secured what appeared to be a signature victory in the UFC on ESPN 49 main event, as she submitted ex-champ Holly Holm with a second-round ninja choke at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. That would have made four straight triumphs for “Sheetara,” but a failed drug test — which Silva blamed on ADHD medication — resulted in her win being overturned to a no contest. The transgression didn’t affect Silva’s status in the promotion’s eyes, as she will meet Raquel Pennington for the vacant bantamweight crown at UFC 297.5. Holly Holm (15-6, 1 NC) | UFC [5]
Holm may have seen her last best chance to regain bantamweight gold fall by the wayside at UFC on ESPN 49, where she suffered a second-round submission defeat to Mayra Bueno Silva in the evening’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The fact that the loss was later overturned to a no contest is likely of little consolation to “The Preacher’s Daughter.” Holm turned 42 in October but considering she’s only two fights into a six-bout UFC deal, it seems that the Jackson-Wink MMA standout will soldier onward with her MMA career.6. Irene Aldana (14-7) | UFC [6]
Aldana entered UFC 289 with the opportunity to continue the momentum that Mexican counterparts Yair Rodriguez and Alex Grasso built with championship wins earlier in 2023. Instead, Aldana offered a lackluster performance in Vancouver, often looking inexplicably hesitant to engage in a lopsided unanimous decision loss to Amanda Nunes in the evening’s bantamweight championship headliner. Nunes’ ensuing retirement means that Aldana’s path back to the top might not be as arduous as it would have been, but the visuals from that defeat mean she’ll still have plenty of work to do to earn another title shot. Next, Aldana will return to face Karol Rosa at UFC 296.7. Ketlen Vieira (14-3) | UFC [7]
Vieira relied on takedowns and top pressure to roll to a three-round verdict over Pannie Kianzad at UFC Fight Night 224 in London. The Brazilian has won three of her last four outings, and with a resume that includes victories over the likes of Holly Holm, Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano and Sara McMann, remains very much in the mix at 135 pounds. She’ll next face Macy Chiasson on Jan. 13.8. Yana Santos (14-8, 1 NC) | UFC [8]
Santos tried her hand at 145 pounds at UFC on ESPN 48, where she dropped a closely contested split decision to Karol Rosa. That makes three consecutive defeats for the former Invicta FC title holder, who will return to bantamweight for a clash with Norma Dumont on Jan. 13.9. Pannie Kianzad (16-7) | UFC [9]
After being sidelined for more than a year due to a torn ACL, it was a frustrating return to action for Kianzad, who was taken down and controlled for the better part of three rounds in a unanimous decision loss to Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 224 in London. The former Invicta FC title holder has lost two of her last three bouts, though there’s no shame in falling to the likes of Vieira and Raquel Pennington.10. Karol Rosa (17-5) | UFC [10]
After falling to Norma Dumont in her featherweight debut, Rosa eked out a split-decision triumph over Yana Santos in another 145-pound matchup at UFC on ESPN 48. The direction of the featherweight division within the UFC is currently unclear, but Rosa figures to be on the short list of contenders if the weight class sticks around. Up next, Rosa will lock horns with Irena Aldana at UFC 296.Other Contenders: Talita Bernardo, Lucie Pudilova, Taneisha Tennant, Nora Cornolle, Montserrat Rendon.
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