Ben Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration
Women’s Flyweight
1. Valentina Shevchenko (18-3)
It was far from enthralling, but Shevchenko was in completely control throughout her title defense against Liz Carmouche in the UFC Uruguay headliner. Even though her volume was lacking, a technical “Bullet” clipped her foe on a couple occasions and held her own in grappling with the physical Carmouche. The end result was a sweep of the scorecards and the fourth consecutive 125-pound victory for the reigning champion. The 31-year-old Tiger Muay Thai representative now owns victories over Carmouche, Jessica Eye and Joanna Jedrzejczyk in title bouts and continues to look like one of the most dominant champions in any UFC division.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 will return to 115 pounds for her next Octagon appearance when she faces Michelle Waterson at UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Oct. 12.4. Liz Carmouche (13-7)
Carmouche simply had no answers in her title bout against reigning flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko at UFC Uruguay. “Girl-Rilla” was outclassed on the feet and on the mat as she saw a two-fight winning streak come to an end in lopsided fashion. Carmouche has now unsuccessfully challenged for UFC gold at both 125 and 135 pounds. However, she remains a difficult litmus test for many fighters in either division.5. Jennifer Maia (17-5-1)
The stakes were different, but it was a similar result for Maia against Roxanne Modafferi at UFC on ESPN 4. After defeating “The Happy Warrior” via split decision in a title bout at Invicta FC 19 in September 2016, Maia captured a unanimous verdict in a rematch in San Antonio on July 20 — sweeping the scorecards by identical 30-27 counts. Maia did come in three pounds above the flyweight limit for the bout, taking some of the luster off her victory. The 30-year-old Brazilian has nonetheless won seven of her last eight pro bouts, including two of three in the UFC. She will square off against Katlyn Chookagian in a pivotal contender’s bout at UFC 244.6. 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. Porto will defend her title against Karina Rodriguez at Invicta FC 38 on Nov. 1.7. Jessica Eye (14-7)
Prior to suffering a vicious head-kick knockout loss to Valentina Shevchenko in a championship clash at UFC 238, Eye looked reborn at 125 pounds, posting successive triumphs over Kalindra Faria, Jessica Rose-Clark and Katlyn Chookagian. The Ohio native will attempt to rebound at UFC 245, when she squares off against Brazilian Viviane Araujo on Dec. 14 in Las Vegas.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. Next, Chookagian will lock horns with ranked flyweight Jennifer Maia at UFC 244 in New York.9. Joanne Calderwood (14-4)
In a competitive, back-and-forth affair, Calderwood managed to edge Andrea Lee via split-decision in a preliminary contest at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. Calderwood has won three of her last four bouts at 125 pounds and owns four UFC flyweight victories overall — tying her for the most in the history of the division.10. Andrea Lee (11-3)
Lee had a golden opportunity to make a statement as a serious flyweight contender at UFC 242, but “KGB” ultimately dropped a split decision to Joanne Calderwood in Abu Dhabi. That snapped a seven-bout winning streak for the Legacy Fighting Alliance and Invicta FC veteran, but given the competitive nature of the contest, Lee’s stock shouldn’t fall significantly.Other Contenders: Roxanne Modafferi, Molly McCann, Rin Nakai, Viviane Araujo, Miranda Maverick.
Continue Reading » Women’s Strawweight