Image: John Brannigan/Sherdog.com illustration
Women’s Flyweight
1. Valentina Shevchenko (23-3) | UFC [1]
Shevchenko survived the most difficult title defense of her career to date, edging Taila Santos via split decision in the UFC 275 co-main event at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore on June 11. For much of the bout, “Bullet” struggled against her Brazilian foe in the clinch and on the mat, but the reigning flyweight queen got stronger as the fight progressed to earn her eighth victory in a UFC championship bout. Given the competitive nature of the fight, perhaps the calls for Shevchenko to move up to bantamweight will cease for the time being, as a rematch with Santos could potentially be in store.2. Liz Carmouche (17-7) | Bellator [2]
When it comes to making good on championship opportunities, the third time was the charm for Carmouche, who came up short in title bouts against Ronda Rousey and Valentina Shevchenko before claiming flyweight gold with a stoppage of Juliana Velasquez in the Bellator 278 main event. The Team Hurricane Awesome product survived an early knockdown before taking Velasquez down and advancing to a mounted crucifix, where she hammered away with elbows to secure a technical knockout victory in the fourth round. Carmouche was likely behind on the scorecards before the controversial finish, but she’ll get a chance to prove her victory was no fluke in a rematch with Velasquez at Bellator 289.3. Juliana Velasquez (12-1) | Bellator [3]
Velasquez appeared to be on the right track to victory through three rounds against Liz Carmouche in the Bellator 278 headliner, but that all changed when “Girl-Rilla” secured a mounted crucifix and rained down elbows to force a stoppage with 13 seconds remaining in the period. While Velasquez didn’t appear to be in danger from the strikes, her unblemished record is no longer. The Brazilian will have a chance for redemption when she meets Carmouche in a championship rematch at Bellator 289.4. Jessica Andrade (23-9) | UFC [4]
After a three-bout stint at 125 pounds that saw her fail in a bid to capture championship gold against Valentina Shevchenko, Andrade made an impressive return to strawweight with a first-round submission of surging contender Amanda Lemos in the UFC Fight Night 205 main event on April 23. Not only did Andrade reassert herself as a person of interest in the division, but she also authored the first standing arm-triangle choke submission in the history of the Las Vegas-based promotion. Andrade was forced to withdraw from a flyweight clash against Manon Fiorot at UFC Paris.5. Katlyn Chookagian (18-4) | UFC [5]
It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but Chookagian found a way to win against Amanda Ribas, capturing a split decision in a featured 125-pound affair at UFC on ESPN 36. Chookagian struggled at times against her foe’s takedowns and aggression, but her rangy striking was ultimately enough to get the nod. “Blonde Fighter” probably isn’t next in line for a rematch with Valentina Shevchenko, but if the reigning champion suffers an upset loss or leaves the division, Chookagian would be at the top of the list of contenders. The New Yorker is scheduled to face surging prospect Manon Fiorot at UFC 280.6. Taila Santos (19-2) | UFC [6]
Santos used on clinch work, takedowns and positional control to throw a scare into reigning flyweight champion UFC 275, but the Brazilian ultimately came up short in a competitive split-decision defeat. Down the stretch, Santos appeared to be compromised from a partially closed right eye that occurred as a result of an accidental clash of heads in Round 3. Whether that was the difference in the bout will remain a mystery, but Santos figures to at least be in the conversation for an immediate rematch after giving Shevchenko her toughest test at 125 pounds to date.7. Lauren Murphy (16-5) | UFC [7]
The UFC was all but ready to insert Miesha Tate into the flyweight championship picture, but Murphy had other plans, as she battered and bloodied the ex-bantamweight queen en route to a unanimous decision triumph at UFC on ABC 3. It was an important statement for Murphy, who was coming off a lopsided loss to Valentina Shevchenko in a title bout at UFC 266. While she might not be in line for a rematch as long as “Bullet” is champ, Murphy remains a top contender by virtue of her 6-1 UFC record since 2019.8. Manon Fiorot (9-1) | UFC [8]
Fiorot continued her ascent through the flyweight division at UFC on ESPN 33, vanquishing former title challenger Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 26. The Frenchwoman has relied on her standup ability to carry her to four consecutive triumphs in the Octagon and looks primed to face another ranked foe in her next outing. The former UAE Warriors flyweight queen has won nine straight professional bouts overall and will get her toughest test to date against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 280.9. Alexa Grasso (14-3) | UFC [9]
A highly-touted prospect early in her career, Mexico’s Grasso seems to be delivering on her considerable potential now that she has taken her talents to 125 pounds. After an up-and-down stint in the UFC at strawweight, the Lobo Gym MMA representative is 3-0 in the flyweight division with triumphs over Ji Yeon Kim, Maycee Barber and Joanne Wood to her credit. The Invicta FC veteran was slated to square off with Viviane Araujo at UFC on ESPN 41 before visa issues nixed the bout. Instead, Grasso will meet Araujo in the UFC Fight Night 212 main event.10. Viviane Araujo (11-3) | UFC [10]
Araujo got back on track at UFC on ESPN 36 in May, taking a unanimous decision over Andrea Lee to put her 2021 loss to Katlyn Chookagian in the rear view. The win leaves Araujo at 3-1 in the last two years, with the only loss coming against perennial title contender Chookagian. A proposed clash against Alexa Grasso at UFC on ESPN 41 was canceled due to visa issues for Araujo’s opponent. Araujo vs. Grasso will now square off in the UFC Fight Night 212 main event.Other Contenders: Jennifer Maia, Joanne Wood, Andrea Lee, Casey O'Neill, Maycee Barber.
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