Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

---

Women’s Featherweight

1. Amanda Nunes (17-4)

Nunes became just the third simultaneous two-division champion in UFC history when she knocked out Cristiane Justino in just 51 seconds to claim featherweight gold at UFC 232. Nunes needed just three seconds longer to dispatch “Cyborg” than she did when she demolished former pound-for-pound queen Ronda Rousey two years earlier at UFC 207. With a resume that also includes wins over the likes of UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko (twice), Bellator featherweight titlist Julia Budd, Miesha Tate, Germaine de Randamie and Raquel Pennington, “Lioness” has a legitimate claim to being the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time. Nunes might get a chance to build on that resume, as a matchup with former champ Holly Holm is rumored for UFC 237 on May 11.

2. Cristiane Justino (20-2)

It took more than 13 years, but “Cyborg” finally suffered her second professional defeat.Justino was separated from her featherweight crown in emphatic fashion at UFC 232, where she suffered a shocking 51-second knockout loss at the hands of reigning bantamweight queen Amanda Nunes. The heavy-handed Brazilian remains the clear No. 2 in the division, but whether she gets an immediate rematch against Nunes remains to be seen.

3. Julia Budd (12-2)

Budd continued to cement her spot as the No. 2 female featherweight in the world, as she posted a dominant third-round technical knockout victory against Talita Nogueira in a title defense at Bellator 202. “The Jewel” has now won 10 consecutive fights since being submitted by Ronda Rousey in November 2011, and with finishes in two of her last three appearances, she is working to erase the “grinder” label that has been assigned to her in recent years.

4. Arlene Blencowe (11-7)

Blencowe was able to shake off the disappointment of a contentious loss to featherweight champion Julia Budd in a big way, as “Angerfist” scored a third-round stoppage of Top 10 featherweight Amber Leibrock at Bellator 206. Blencowe showcased her boxing skills for much of the bout but secured victory by slamming her way out of an armbar and pummeling a stunned Leibrock with follow-up punches on the mat. The 35-year-old Australian has won four of her last five bouts.

5. Holly Holm (12-4)

Holm entered mixed martial arts known as a boxing world champion, but her skills have gradually evolved over the years. That was most evident at UFC 225, where the Jackson-Wink MMA representative outwrestled and outgrappled Octagon newcomer Megan Anderson in a relatively easy decision triumph. Holm was expected to return to face Aspen Ladd at UFC 235, but the proposed bout was scrapped a month before the event. The reason? Holm is rumored to face Amanda Nunes in a 135-pound title bout at UFC 237.

6. Megan Anderson (9-3)

It might not have been the emphatic win she desired, but Anderson nonetheless got the “W” against Cat Zingano at UFC 232. The featherweight contest ended prematurely when Anderson caught Zingano in the eye with a kick, forcing a technical knockout stoppage just 61 seconds into the opening stanza. The 28-year-old former Invicta titlist has her first UFC triumph and has won five of her last six overall. In a shallow featherweight division, she remains on the short list of championship contenders.

7. Felicia Spencer (6-0)

The fast-rising Spencer added some hardware to her trophy case at Invicta FC 32, as she submitted Pam Sorenson with a fourth-round rear-naked choke to claim the promotion’s vacant featherweight crown. “Feenom” has earned all six of her professional victories under the Invicta banner, with three of those triumphs coming by way of rear-naked choke.

8. Talita Nogueira (7-1)

Nogueira waited nearly three years for her shot at Julia Budd, but that extra time did not make her any more prepared for what awaited her against the reigning Bellator MMA featherweight queen. After nearly being finished by a knee to the body in the second stanza, Nogueira succumbed to a right hand and follow-up punches 4:07 into the third round. Positive moments were few and far between for the Brazilian, who had finished her first seven foes.

9. Amanda Bell (5-5)

Never afraid of a challenge -- her .500 record reflects as much -- Bell was eager to jump in the cage against undefeated Brazilian Talita Nogueira at Bellator 182, this after Gabrielle Holloway went down to injury. Unfortunately, Bell’s submission defense let her down, as “Treta” got the advantage on the floor and choked her out in the first round, breaking Bell’s bid for three wins in a row. Bell will return to action against Amber Leibrock at Bellator 215.

10. Amber Leibrock (3-2)

Leibrock had some positive moments against Arlene Blencowe at Bellator 206, but she also showed that she still has plenty of room to grow. The 30-year-old Californian trapped Blencowe in an armbar in the third stanza of their bout, only to be slammed on her head and stopped by punches at the 1:23 mark of the period. That halted a two-fight winning streak for Leibrock, who has just five pro fights to her credit in a still-burgeoning career. Leibrock will attempt to return to the win column against Amanda Bell at Bellator 215 on Feb. 15.

Other Contenders: Olga Rubin, Cindy Dandois, Kaitlin Young, Reina Miura, Pam Sorenson.

Continue Reading » Women’s Bantamweight