Women’s Strawweight
1. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (10-0)
Three months after taking the title from Carla Esparza, the newly crowned UFC strawweight champion laid waste to her first challenger. Jedrzejczyk used punches, kicks and elbows to slice, dice and batter Jessica Penne on June 20 before forcing a merciful referee stoppage late in round three. The Polish striker’s next challenger will likely be decided in an Aug. 1 bout between former opponent Claudia Gadelha and ex-World Series of Fighting ace Jessica Aguilar.2. Jessica Aguilar (19-4)
The former World Series of Fighting strawweight champion was released by the promotion on May 18 and signed with the UFC less than one month later. “Jag” is one of the most accomplished female fighters at 115 pounds, with victories over the likes of Megumi Fujii and former UFC titlist Carla Esparza. The American Top Team fighter will jump straight into the deep end for her Octagon debut at UFC 190, where she will meet Claudia Gadelha in a probable No. 1 contender bout.3. Claudia Gadelha (12-1)
Brazil’s top strawweight suffered the first loss of her MMA career in December, when Gadelha dropped a closely contested split decision to future champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. The Nova Uniao black belt will look to get back in the win column -- and potentially move herself into position for a title shot -- when she faces former World Series of Fighting champion Jessica Aguilar at UFC 190 in August.4. Carla Esparza (10-3)
Esparza’s reign as inaugural UFC strawweight champion lasted only three months, as “The Ultimate Fighter 20” winner was decimated by Polish puncher Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the co-main event of UFC 185. The Californian relied heavily on her wrestling base to claim the belt but could not take down Jedrzejczyk, leading to a second-round knockout. It was the first stoppage loss of Esparza’s career, and her first defeat since dropping a closely contested split decision to Jessica Aguilar in 2011.5. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (7-0)
Kowalkiewicz encountered her stiffest challenge to date when she went up against Brazilian striker Kalindra Faria at KSW 30, but the Pole emerged with her perfect record intact. Following a submission scare in round one, Kowalkiewicz won the final two frames with short, accurate punches and counterstriking to claim a split decision.6. Maryna Moroz (6-0)
Moroz went from UFC debutante to possible title contender in one swift move -- namely, the armbar she applied to force highly touted Joanne Calderwood to submit on April 11 at UFC Fight Night in Poland. The 23-year-old Ukranian immediately called for a shot at champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and while such an opportunity may be a few fights away, Moroz’s major upset and flawless résumé -- which includes five wins via armbar -- certainly have people talking. Moroz will next face Valerie Letourneau on Aug. 23 in Saskatoon, Canada.7. Joanne Calderwood (10-1)
Fighting before a hometown crowd in Glasgow on July 18, Calderwood survived a first-round assault from last-minute replacement Cortney Casey and pushed back to take a unanimous decision from the UFC newcomer. The win got the Scottish muay Thai stylist back on track after her first MMA defeat, a 90-second submission loss to Maryna Moroz in April.8. Livia Renata Souza (8-0)
Souza became the first woman to stop Finnish grinder Katja Kankaanpaa on April 24, claiming victory and the Invicta FC strawweight title with a fourth-round triangle choke. The bout was Souza’s first outside of her native Brazil, where she began her career with seven straight wins, six of them by way of submission. “Livinha” will put her newly won belt on the line against unbeaten Alexa Grasso on Sept. 12.9. Katja Kankaanpaa (10-2-1)
Kankaanpaa’s reign as Invicta strawweight champion was short-lived, as the Finnish standout was submitted by Livia Renata Souza in her first title defense on April 24. The “Killer Bunny” still holds one of the better records in the burgeoning division, including wins over current UFC fighters Juliana Lima and Aisling Daly.10. Tecia Torres (6-0)
The “Tiny Tornado” was nowhere to be found at UFC 188, as Torres abandoned her usual combination-heavy standup attack in favor of a more conservative, grinding game plan against fellow striker Angela Hill. Nonetheless, the American Top Team product emerged with a unanimous nod after three rounds, moving her record to 6-0 with all six wins by way of decision.Other Contenders: Kalindra Faria, Alexa Grasso, Mizuki Inoue, Randa Markos, Jessica Penne.