Leading Female UFC Contenders of 2021
Unleashing the Beasts: Top 5 UFC Women Tear Up the Octagon
When it comes to the world of women's MMA, 2024 was a year to remember. Here's a countdown of the five fiercest females who dominated the UFC scene, put on thrilling performances, and etched their names in the annals of the sport.
5: Raquel Pennington
Pennington (16-9) burst onto the scene with an underdog story that made her "Rocky" nickname a fitting description. A no-nonsense grafter, she breathed life into the term 'warrior' in her unexpected title win at UFC 297.
Pennington kept the pressure on Mayra Bueno Silva throughout and ultimately outworked the Brazilian to clinch the vacant bantamweight belt in Toronto. Although she ultimately lost the gold in a close fight, her historic title triumph was impressive enough to secure her a spot among the year's best fighters.
4: Julianna Pena
Pena (12-5) staged a remarkable comeback in 2024. Returning for the first time since losing her bantamweight title to Amanda Nunes in July, "The Venezuelan Vixen" wasted no time getting back to the top as she challenged Raquel Pennington for the title at UFC 307 in October.
Their showdown was a highly anticipated rematch 11 years in the making, dating back to their days on Season 18 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2013. After winning the show, Pena proved that time was on her side as she scored a split decision win over Pennington to regain her spot atop the 135-pound division.
3: Zhang Weili
Zhang (25-3) continued to make history in 2024. Not only did she become the first Chinese UFC champion, but she also defended her strawweight title in a first-of-its-kind match against fellow countryman Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300 in April.
"Magnum" displayed her champion qualities as she overwhelmed Yan Xiaonan en route to a decisive victory, extending her win streak to four and solidifying her position as the absolute best at 115 pounds.
2: Kayla Harrison
Harrison (18-1) opened a new chapter in her career when she made her debut in the UFC in 2024. Wasting no time, she established herself as a formidable force to be reckoned with at bantamweight.
A two-time Olympic gold medallist in judo and two-time Professional Fighters League (PFL) tournament champion, she made short work of former champion Holly Holm in her promotional debut and cemented herself as a legitimate title contender with a decision win over Ketlen Vieira. Some even consider her the uncrowned champion.
1: Valentina Shevchenko
Shevchenko (24-4-1) earned the title of the Female Fighter of the Year in 2024, as she reclaimed the flyweight championship against arch-rival Alexa Grasso in commanding fashion.
Shevchenko, who is known for her deadly striking and formidable grappling skills, dominated their rematch from start to finish en route to a decisive victory at UFC 306. The victory demonstrated why she remains the gold standard, the pound-for-pound queen, and is not going anywhere.
Although other rising stars like Manon Fiorot and Amanda Lemos were also making waves in the UFC, these five female fighters were the ones who truly captured the hearts of MMA fans and left their mark on the sport in 2024.
In the realm of sports, Raquel Pennington's performance in mixed-martial-arts (MMA) was remarkable, especially in her unexpected title win at UFC 297 in the world of women's UFC, showcasing her skills in MMA and rugby-like perseverance.
By dominating the UFC scene with her impressive displays of mixed-martial-arts featured in the Ring, Zhang Weili continued to make history, emulating the spirited nature often found in rugby play.
