Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Women’s Strawweight

1. Rose Namajunas (7-3)

The first time Namajunas fought for an Ultimate Fighting Championship title, she was 22 years old and had all of three professional fights under her belt. A little less than three years later, her second UFC championship bid went, well, just a little bit better. In barely three minutes and as a 6-to-1 underdog, “Thug Rose” tore apart the pound-for-pound queen of the sport, leveling Joanna Jedrzejczyk with a left hook and pounding her out to take the gold and cinch up the 2017 “Upset of the Year.” The two will meet again at UFC 223 on April 7.

2. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-1)

With five title defenses under her belt, Jedrzejczyk’s UFC 217 encounter with Rose Namajunas seemed like another day at the office for “Joanna Champion.” Well, we have to strike that nickname, at least for now, as the Polish standout was unseated in devastating fashion in New York. “Thug Rose” knocked her down and forced her to tap to strikes in barely three minutes, handing Jedrzejczyk the first loss of her pro career. The two women will face one another for a second time in the UFC 223 co-main event on April 7.

3. Jessica Andrade (17-6)

Andrade notched the biggest win of her career in September, dominating Claudia Gadelha to the tune of a unanimous decision. Immediately following, it seemed like “Bata Estaca” would be paired with fellow former UFC title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz; those plans have changed but not necessarily for the worse. Instead, the Parana Vale Tudo rep will still appear on UFC on Fox 28 in Orlando, Florida, on Feb. 24, when she meets rising contender Tecia Torres with potential title shot on the line.

4. Claudia Gadelha (15-3)

“Claudinha’s” quest for a third crack at Joanna Jedrzejczyk and a second chance at her throne came to a screeching halt in Saitama, Japan, courtesy of Jessica Andrade. Gadelha started strong but faded after the first round, enduring a beating from her fellow Brazilian and dropping her previously ironclad No. 2 status in the division. The Brazilian will look to return to the win column when she faces ex-champion Carla Esparza at UFC 225 on June 9 in Chicago.

5. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (11-2)

Kowalkiewicz started her pro MMA career 10-0 but found herself in a tough spot after back-to-back blowout losses to former UFC champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Brazil’s Claudia Gadelha. A dominant October win over Jodie Esquibel in her native Poland has put Kowalkiewicz back on track. Though it appeared she was set for a bout with fellow former title challenger Jessica Andrade, “The Polish Princess” will still get a primo booking next time out, as she faces Felice Herrig at UFC 223 on April 7.

6. Tecia Torres (9-1)

Since losing in their April 2016 rematch, Torres has chased a rubber match with Rose Namajunas, and that was before “Thug Rose” captured UFC gold. Now, “The Tiny Tornado” has taken three wins in a row and is lined up for a fight to put her right on the doorstep of her first UFC title challenge. The American Top Team rep has signed on to face former title challenger Jessica Andrade at UFC on Fox 28 on Feb. 24 in Orlando, Florida.

7. Carla Esparza (13-4)

Just 2-2 in her previous four appearances, Esparza was in a critical position heading into UFC 219 on Dec. 30, as she faced previously unbeaten Team Alpha Male prospect Cynthia Calvillo. With her back against the wall, “The Cookie Monster” made the decision crumble her way, outpointing Calvillo and taking a pivotal unanimous decision. Esparza can continue her ascent by defeating former title challenger Claudia Gadelha at UFC 225 on June 9.

8. Livia Renata Souza (11-1)

Souza has been one of the very best strawweights in the world for no less than two years, but her untimely defeat to Angela Hill in a May 2016 Invicta title bout seemed to slow the Brazilian’s roll to the UFC. Since the loss to “Angie Overkill,” Souza walloped atomweight ruler Ayaka Hamasaki and handed fellow Brazilian Janaisa Morandin her first career loss, earning her that coveted UFC deal. “Livinha’s” Octagon debut will have to wait, however, as a hand injury forced her to pull out of a UFC Fight Night 126 clash with Jessica Aguilar.

9. Cynthia Calvillo (6-1)

Calvillo took the first loss of her pro career at UFC 219 on Dec. 30, suffering a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza. For a time, it looked as if the setback would simply be a learning experience, but things have since gone from bad to worse. It was revealed on Jan. 17 that Calvillo had tested positive for cannabis metabolites and now faces suspension.

10. Felice Herrig (14-6)

Herrig’s win over Cortney Casey-Sanchez at UFC 218 gave her four straight victories inside the Octagon and upped her official UFC record to 5-1. On the hottest run of her career, “Lil Bulldog” was keen to call out former UFC title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz for what she found to be a sensible pairing. Well, UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard acquiesced. Herrig will square off with “The Polish Princess” at UFC 223 on April 7 in Brooklyn, New York.

Other Contenders: Nina Ansaroff , Angela Hill, Virna Jandiroba, Viviane Pereira, Tatiana Suarez

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