Women Fighters Rise to Prominence in UFC History

Las Vegas, NV – In just over a decade, women have transitioned from sidelined participants to headlining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events. UFC began featuring women’s fights in 2013, opening doors to thrilling opportunities for female fighters worldwide.

Among the greatest female fighters is Joanna Jędrzejczyk, who became the UFC Strawweight Champion in 2015. She defended her title five times, demonstrating remarkable dominance and skill. Her reign was brought to an end by Rose Namajunas, who pulled off back-to-back victories in some of the most exciting matches in the division’s history.

Current champion Valentina Shevchenko has also made her mark in the UFC Women’s Flyweight division. Since her debut in 2015, Shevchenko has been nearly unstoppable, capturing the title and engaging in an epic trilogy with her rival, Taila Santos. After losing her title, she rebounded with a victory in their third bout, re-establishing herself as a top contender.

Cris Cyborg has been a formidable force in female MMA, securing 21 of her 28 wins by knockout. While only competing seven times in the UFC, her impact on the sport is undeniable. Meanwhile, Ronda Rousey paved the way for women in MMA, becoming a cultural icon during her years as the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.

Rousey achieved remarkable success with a six-fight winning spree, earning her comparisons to boxing great Mike Tyson. She won both bantamweight and featherweight championships, establishing a legacy that remains unchallenged.

Amanda Nunes, known as “The Lioness,” concluded her career in 2023 after defending both her UFC titles. Nunes retired undefeated at the top, a testament to her dominance over the years.

This Saturday, the UFC returns to Montreal with Manon Fiorot set to challenge for the Women’s Flyweight title. Fiorot, who has a single career loss, aims to become the third woman to defeat Shevchenko.

Despite the challenges posed by Shevchenko’s grappling skills, Fiorot’s glaring advantage is her striking, boasting a significantly higher rate of landed strikes per minute. Fans eagerly await this matchup, anticipating another thrilling chapter in women’s UFC history.