Please note that for the inaugural MMA Freak women’s pound for pound rankings Cat Zingano and Carla Esparza are both ineligible due to inactivity. Also note that the rankings were voted on by a panel of MMA Freak writers:
1. Ronda Rousey (9-0)
This should be no surprise considering that “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey recently proved that her striking has improved significantly as of late. We will now get to see if upcoming opponent Alexis Davis can give her a run for her money or whether she will be another statistic.
2. Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (12-1, 1)
Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino’s recently voiced ambitions to actually try and make bantamweight may or may not come to fruition in the future. Before she can actually face Ronda Rousey in the UFC she would need to drop to bantamweight and challenge Lauren Murphy in Invicta.
3. Michelle Waterson (11-3)
The lightest fighter on this list, Michelle Waterson is the current reigning Invicta Atom Weight Champion who like the rest of Invicta Fighting Championship’s roster is in limbo until founder and president Shannon Knapp can secure a television partner deal for the rising promotion.
4. Alexis Davis (16-5)
Despite a mediocre performance against Jessica “Evil” Eye, Alexis Davis is getting her crack at Ronda Rousey and the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship. The question is whether she will indeed be a challenge or whether Rousey will claim a piece of her anatomy.
5. Sara McMann (7-1)
Sara McMann may have lost in her title shot but she is still significant in that no one besides Ronda Rousey has defeated her.
6. Barb Honchak (9-2)
The Invicta Fighting Championships Flyweight Champion is stuck in between the two UFC women’s weight classes unfortunately.
7. Sarah Kaufman (17-2, 1)
After a loss turned to a no contest against Jessica Eye, Sarah Kaufman got a solid UFC win in her rematch against Leslie Smith.
8. Miesha Tate (14-5)
Miesha Tate finally got a UFC win against Liz Carmouche and would like a rematch with Sarah Kaufman, but time will tell if that happens.
9. Jessica Aguilar (17-4)
In reality the World Series of Fighting women’s straw weight division is shaped around Jessica Aguilar their champion. Hopefully she will be able to move to the UFC after season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter. Judging from WSOF’s willingness to let people to the UFC it’s possible.
10. Marloes Coenen (21-6)
The longtime veteran hasn’t fought since her loss to Cristiane Justino and should probably consider moving back down to bantamweight.
Contenders
Following fighters are listed contenders: Liz Carmouche, Jessica, Eye, Amanda Nunes, Jessica Penne, Vanessa Porto, and Tanya Evinger.