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Women’s Strawweight
1. Weili Zhang (21-1) [1]
One bout removed from a 42-second stoppage of Jessica Andrade, Zhang showcased an ability to prevail in a battle of attrition, as she outdueled Joanna Jedrzejczyk in a five-round classic to retain the strawweight crown in the UFC 248 co-main event. Zhang extended her winning streak to 21 thanks to superior punching power that left a grotesque hematoma on Jedrzejczyk’s forehead. Zhang’s victory was all the more impressive considering that her camp was altered due to coronavirus concerns in her homeland of China. Zhang and Jedrzejczyk could be destined for a rematch down the road, but it will be difficult to top their first meeting, which ranks as perhaps the greatest female fight of all time.2. Rose Namajunas (9-4) [2]
A devastating slam KO defeat to Jessica Andrade at UFC 237 had Namajunas contemplating retirement, but ultimately “Thug” Rose decided against calling it a career. The former champion made a triumphant return to the Octagon at UFC 251, where she racked up on early lead on the scorecards and held off a hard-charging Andrade down the stretch for a split-decision triumph at “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi. While a trilogy with Andrade could be in store someday, Namajunas likely earned herself a shot at reigning 115-pound champion Weili Zhang.3. Jessica Andrade (21-8) [3]
Andrade became the first woman to earn victories in three different weight classes at UFC Fight Night 180, as she dispatched former flyweight title challenger Katlyn Chookagian with body punches 4:55 into the opening round of their co-main event encounter in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 17. With an impressive victory in her 125-pound debut, the former strawweight queen already looks primed for a title shot in her new weight class.4. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-4) [4]
Jedrzejczyk was all heart at UFC 248. Despite being left nearly unrecognizable by the end of her co-headlining bout with Weili Zhang, the Polish star never kept pressing the action in the strawweight championship clash. Although she outlanded her foe in significant strikes, Jedrzejczyk wasn’t as powerful as the Chinese champion in striking exchanges and came up just short in a split-decision defeat. Once one of the sport’s most dominant champions, Jedrzejczyk only raised her stock despite falling to 6-4 in UFC title fights.5. Xiaonan Yan (13-1, 1 NC) [5]
Crisp combination punching and solid takedown defense carried Yan to the biggest win of her career to date, as she earned a unanimous decision triumph over former 115-pound title challenger Claudia Gadelha at UFC on ESPN 17. The 31-year-old China Top Team representative has kicked off her promotional tenure with six consecutive triumphs, a run that includes other notable victories against Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Angela Hill.6. Claudia Gadelha (18-5) [6]
Unable to impose her will through grappling, Gadelha was outmatched on the feet in a decision loss to Xiaonan Yan at UFC on ESPN 17 on Nov. 7. That defeat halted some positive momentum for the 31-year-old Brazilian, who had won three of her previous four bouts entering the matchup with Yan. It’s now been more than four years since Gadelha challenged for strawweight gold at “The Ultimate Fighter 23” finale in July 2016.7. Carla Esparza (17-6) [7]
Esparza relied on her wrestling and top control to eke out a split-decision triumph over Marina Rodriguez in a clash of strawweight contenders at UFC on ESPN 14. Despite being bloodied and battered, “Cookie Monster” showed her grit and will in earning her fourth consecutive triumph in the Las Vegas-based promotion.8. Cynthia Calvillo (9-2-1) [8]
Calvillo was unable to get inside against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 255, and the result was a clear-cut unanimous decision defeat in her second appearance at 125 pounds at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Nov. 21. After an impressive five-round showing against Jessica Eye in her flyweight debut this past June, Calvillo struggled against another former title challenger to lose for just the second time in nine Octagon appearances.9. Marina Rodriguez (12-1-2) [9]
Rodriguez struggled to stay upright against Carla Esparza at UFC on ESPN 14, but she still delivered her share of punishment in a split-decision defeat. With two majority draws and the aforementioned split-decision setback already on her ledger, Rodriguez has proven to be a tough-luck competitor in UFC bouts. The Brazilian muay Thai specialist will step in for Michelle Waterson and meet Amanda Ribas at UFC 257 on Jan. 23.10. Tecia Torres (12-5) [10]
After original foe Angela Hill withdrew due from UFC 256 due to a positive COVID-19 test, Torres took her wrath out on replacement Sam Hughes, winning via doctor stoppage after one round in Las Vegas on Dec. 12. After a four-bout skid from 2018 to 2019, “The Tiny Tornado” has scored back-to-back triumphs against Hughes and Brianna Van Buren. Torres will look to face a more highly-ranked opponent in her next outing.Other Contenders: Michelle Waterson, Brianna Van Buren, Alexa Grasso, Amanda Ribas, Mackenzie Dern.
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