Ben Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration
Women’s Flyweight
1. Valentina Shevchenko (17-3)
Entering UFC 238 as a huge favorite, Shevchenko authored a “Knockout of the Year” candidate with a head kick that instantly removed Jessica Eye from consciousness in the evening’s co-headliner. After claiming the vacant crown with a five-round verdict over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in what might be her toughest matchup at 125 pounds, Shevchenko showed why she could be destined for a lengthy reign atop the division with her first successful title defense. “Bullet” has won five of her last six promotional outings, with a narrow split decision setback in a bantamweight title clash with Amanda Nunes the only blemish on her ledger during that period.2. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (10-0)
Macfarlane had her hands full with Veta Arteaga at Bellator 220, but a powerful elbow from top position in third round quickly changed the course of the fight. The blow opened up a massive cut on Arteaga’s forehead, and moments later, a doctor entered the cage to halt the contest to give Macfarlane her third successful title defense. In her post-fight interview, “The Ilimanator” expressed a desire to give Arteaga an immediate rematch due to the nature of the stoppage. Regardless of what lies ahead, Macfarlane remains one of the brightest rising stars in the California-based promotion.3. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (15-3)
Once regarded as the top female pound-for-pound talent in the sport, Jedrzejczyk now finds herself looking up at the top of two separate divisions following a loss to Valentina Shevchenko for the vacant flyweight strap at UFC 231. While the 31-year-old Poland native showed no quit in the bout, she simply had no clear answers for her opponent over the course of the 25-minute affair. Jedrzejczyk has promised a return to 115 pounds in 2019, but the question remains if the weight cut will prove too draining as she grows older — particularly after moving up a division.4. Liz Carmouche (13-6)
Carmouche relied on a grinding approach to outpoint former bantamweight competitor Lucie Pudilova at UFC Prague, landing multiple takedowns en route to a unanimous decision victory in hostile territory. The former bantamweight title challenger has now earned back-to-back triumphs over Pudilova and Jennifer Maia at 125 pounds and has won four of her last five Octagon appearances overall. Carmouche will return to action against Roxanne Modafferi at UFC on ESPN 4 in San Antonio on July 20.5. Jennifer Maia (16-5-1)
After dropping a unanimous verdict to Liz Carmouche in her Octagon debut, Maia bounced back in her sophomore outing at UFC Nashville, taking a hard-fought decision over former bantamweight title challenger Alexis Davis on March 23. The former Invicta FC titlist has won seven of her last eight fights, a streak that also includes victories over Roxanne Modafferi, Vanessa Porto and Aga Niedzwiedz.6. Aga Niedzwiedz (10-1)
Niedzwiedz did not leave Invicta 26 with the company’s flyweight title, but the Polish prospect could have easily done so, losing a razor-thin unanimous decision to incumbent champion Jennifer Maia. It was the first career loss for “Kuma,” but at just 22 years old and full of untapped potential, the Grappling Krakow product figures to be an elite flyweight for the foreseeable future.7. Vanessa Porto (21-8)
Porto claimed the vacant Invicta Fighting Championships flyweight crown with a technical decision victory over UFC veteran Pearl Gonzalez in the Invicta FC 34 main event on Feb. 15. Porto controlled the contest with punching combinations, leg kicks and takedowns, leading her to a clear-cut victory even though the bout ended midway through the fourth frame following an inadvertent eye poke from Gonzalez. Porto, who had come up short in her previous two attempts to claim Invicta FC gold, has posted a 6-2 mark in her last eight bouts.8. Katlyn Chookagian (12-2)
After weathering numerous leg kicks from Joanne Calderwood in the opening stanza of their bout at UFC 238, Chookagian rallied behind a consistent right hand to capture a unanimous verdict in Chicago. The 30-year-old “Blonde Fighter” has won three of her four Octagon appearances since moving down from bantamweight.9. Joanne Calderwood (13-4)
Calderwood entered UFC 238 on a two-fight winning streak and primed to announce herself as a serious contender at 125 pounds. After reddening the inside of Katlyn Chookagian leg’s with low kicks in the opening stanza, “JoJo” faded over the final two rounds to lose a unanimous decision. While Chookagian, a former bantamweight packed more power in her strikes, Calderwood is still better suited to remain at 125 pounds rather than returning to strawweight.10. Roxanne Modafferi (23-15)
Modafferi has made a career of getting the better of more athletically-gifted foes, and UFC St. Petersburg was no exception, as “The Happy Warrior” negated the reach and striking of the favored Antonina Shevchenko with takedowns and top control to win a unanimous decision. While Modafferi may never be able to reach the 125-pound summit, her veteran savvy makes her a difficult foe for many of the up-and-coming talents in a shallow division. Modafferi will next square off against Liz Carmouche at UFC on ESPN 4 in San Antonio.Other Contenders: Jessica Eye, Rin Nakai, Sijara Eubanks, Andrea Lee, Ariane Lipski.
Continue Reading » Women’s Strawweight