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. Shevchenko will make her next title defense against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 247 in Houston.2. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-0)
Macfarlane was rarely threatened in her latest title defense, as she cruised to a unanimous decision over Kate Jackson in the Bellator 236 headliner at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu. Macfarlane was on the verge of a finish in the fourth and fifth rounds, but Jackson relied on her tenacity to survive until the final bell. Macfarlane now has four successful championship defenses to her credit since winning the inaugural 125-pound belt in November 2017. Interesting future challenges loom in the form of streaking flyweight Juliana Velasquez along with recently-signed training partner — and two-division UFC title challenger — Liz Carmouche.3. 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. The two-division title challenger was surprisingly released from her UFC contract while doing a promotional appearance for the organization ahead of UFC on ESPN 7. It didn’t take Carmouche long to find a new home, however, as she quickly signed an exclusive deal to compete in Bellator’s flyweight division.4. Vanessa Porto (22-8)
When opponent Karina Rodriguez missed weight prior to their bout at Invicta FC 38, Porto’s flyweight championship defense became a non-title bout. Despite the lowered stakes, Porto was able to earn her fourth consecutive triumph, utilizing takedowns and ground-and-pound to sway the scorecards in her favor in a hard-fought unanimous decision triumph. The 35-year-old Brazilian has won seven of her last nine bouts, with six of those triumphs coming under the Invicta FC banner.5. Jessica Eye (15-7)
Eye missed weight by five pounds at UFC 245, but she was able to rely on superior takedown defense and standup to take a competitive unanimous decision over Viviane Araujo at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 14. It was a nice bounce back effort for Eye, who suffered a devastating head kick KO loss to Valentina Shevchenko in a title bout at UFC 238 last June. More importantly, it keeps the Ohio native in the thick of things at flyweight.6. Katlyn Chookagian (13-2)
Chookagian continues to compile an impressive resume at 125 pounds, as she won for the fourth time in five appearances with a decision triumph over ex-Invicta FC queen Jennifer Maia at UFC 244 in New York. Chookagian, whose only flyweight defeat in UFC competition came at the hands of Jessica Eye, is tied for the most victories in the history of the division. Chookagian will next get a shot at reigning 125-pound queen Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 247 in Houston.7. Jennifer Maia (17-6-1)
It was not the most memorable UFC 244 for Maia, who missed weight and then dropped a unanimous decision to rising contender Katlyn Chookagian in a preliminary 125-pound affair. After entering the Las Vegas-based promotion on a six-bout winning streak, the 31-year-old Brazilian is 2-2 in the Octagon. However, Maia is always a tough out, as suggested by her streak of eight consecutive decisions.8. 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.9. 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.10. Roxanne Modafferi (23-16)
One of the sport’s most respected veterans, Modafferi has alternated wins and losses in her last six professional appearances. Her 2019 campaign began with a split verdict over Contender Series alum Antonina Shevchenko, but she couldn’t maintain that momentum, as she dropped a decision to former Invicta champ Jennifer Maia in a rematch at UFC on ESPN 4 on July 20. At 37 years old, “The Happy Warrior’s” best days are most likely behind her, but she figures to remain a tough gatekeeper for up-and-coming talents in the division. Modafferi will next lock horns with undefeated prospect Maycee Barber at UFC 246 on Jan. 18.Other Contenders: Molly McCann, Maycee Barber, Rin Nakai, Juliana Velasquez, Viviane Araujo.
Continue Reading » Women’s Strawweight