Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Women’s Featherweight

1. Cristiane Justino (17-1, 1 NC)

In the wake of UFC 208, it only made sense for “Cyborg” to start calling out newly minted UFC women's featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie. However, it quickly became clear that de Randamie would not be available for a summer date with Justino, so the Brazilian shrewdly turned her attention toward making a more feasible fight happen. “Cyborg” is presently pushing for a bout with Invicta Fighting Championships featherweight champion Megan Anderson at UFC 214 on July 29, when the Octagon lands close to Justino's adopted Orange County home in Anaheim, California.

2. Julia Budd (10-2)

Bellator MMA crowned Budd its first women’s featherweight champion on March 3. The British Columbia native was too big and too physical for MMA pioneer Marloes Coenen, as “The Jewel” battered the Dutch fighter to a fourth-round stoppage and into retirement following the bout.

3. Megan Anderson (8-2)

One of fastest rising women in the sport, Anderson's highlight-reel striking and promotion to Invicta featherweight champion figured to earn her a big assignment next time out, regardless of what cage it was in. While she is still far from a confirmed UFC commodity, the exciting Aussie has already gotten plenty of shine from the promotion and has wisely started to angle for a big-ticket bout with Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino at UFC 214 in July.

4. Germaine de Randamie (7-3)

De Randamie is the UFC women's featherweight champion, but “The Iron Lady” is not rushing back into the cage to make her first title defense. Before de Randamie can defend her throne, she has to first deal with the professional obligations of her other job as a Dutch police officer. In the meantime, de Randamie may have her first title contender decided by a potential clash between Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino and Invicta champ Megan Anderson, provided the bout gets the UFC's blessing.

5. Charmaine Tweet (9-6)

Tweet’s sensational spinning back fist knockout of the previously unbeaten Latoya Walker last May earned her a crack at the interim Invicta featherweight title on Jan. 14. However, in the main event of Invicta 21, the Saskatchewan, Canada, native was head kicked and knocked out by rising stalwart Megan Anderson. Tweet’s last three losses have come to divisional standouts Anderson, Cristiane Justino and Julia Budd.

6. Arlene Blencowe (9-6)

Given the thin nature of the women's featherweight division, fighting frequently can be difficult. Case in point: Australia's Blencowe only got to fight once in 2016. Perhaps heartened by losing a competitive majority decision to divisional No. 2 Julia Budd in October, Blencowe has found a way to stay active. In January, she earned a 68-second knockout over Janay Harding. She then dropped to 135 pounds and traveled to China to knock out Tasmania's Rhiannon Thompson in the first round on April 15. Now, “Angerfist” has taken to calling out both Bethe Correia and Cristiane Justino, looking to land a major bout in the UFC, whether it is at 135 or 145 pounds.

7. Helena Kolesnyk (5-0, 1 NC)

Kolesnyk needed only 25 seconds to beat up unknown Tatiana Portnova under the Tech-Krep FC banner on April 7. Not wanting to rest on her laurels -- or perhaps looking to secure a contract with the UFC or Bellator MMA -- the Moscow-based Ukrainian has designs on a quick turnaround, signing on to face France's Iony Razafiarison at 139 pounds at Superior Fighting Championship 17 in Germany on May 20. It will be the “Pretty” one's sixth fight in less than 15 months.

8. Amanda Bell (4-4)

After back-to-back losses to Faith van Duin and Megan Anderson in Invicta Fighting Championships, “The Lady Killer” earned a quality win over Gabrielle Holloway under the King of the Cage banner on Feb. 4. With Bellator MMA fleshing out its 145-pound division, Bell’s free-swinging style has earned her a big-fight contract, as she has signed on with Bellator for a debut later this year.

9. Gabrielle Holloway (6-5)

The 145-pound focus at Bellator 174 was the inaugural women’s title bout between Julia Budd and Marloes Coenen in the main event. Nonetheless, on the undercard, Holloway earned the biggest win of her pro career, as she broke a two-fight skid by pounding out UFC veteran Alexis Dufresne in the second round. As a result, she figures to be a contender in Bellator’s nascent women’s featherweight division.

10. Leah Letson (4-1)

Letson's career has mostly come at bantamweight, but at Invicta 21 in January, “Leahnidas” stepped up to 145 pounds and obliterated UFC veteran Elizabeth Phillips in just 78 seconds. The Wisconsinite was due back in action just two weeks later for Pure Fighting Championships, but slated opponent Marceia Allen was forced out due to a toe injury. Other Contenders: Martyna Czech, Alexis Dufresne, Amber Leibrock, Jessica Miele, Iony Razafiarison.

Continue Reading » Women’s Bantamweight