These all-time calculation methods are still in the beta stages, but close to final. There are some important things to mention as there are some major differences between these rankings and the FightMatrix ratings.
- Rankings ARE division specific. Fighters CAN appear in more than one list, but will only be given credit during times in which they produced quality performances in these divisions. Due to this, divisional info is seriously depended upon.
- Years of 1990 and later are considered.
- Monthly ranking snapshots are taken, with some minor modifications that are focused on determining the truly great fighters (harsher penalties for inactivity, lack of quality performances)
- Fighters are given points based on their standing in the Top 25, with the most points going toward a #1 spot, a little less to #2, right on down the line. Having longevity at the top of the division is key and those who only spend a limited time in a division will suffer. Divisional depth at the time is also given consideration.
Rank | Fighter | Total Record | All-Time Points | |
1 | ![]() Last Fight: 4/25/2009 |
22-1-0 |
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2 | ![]() Last Fight: 3/28/2009 |
17-1-0 |
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3 | ![]() Last Fight: 5/21/2005 |
13-2-0 |
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4 | ![]() Last Fight: 9/19/2009 |
30-2-2 |
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5 | ![]() Last Fight: 12/12/2007 |
19-6-0 |
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6 | ![]() Last Fight: 1/24/2009 |
16-3-0 |
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7 | ![]() Last Fight: 7/11/2009 |
18-0-0 |
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8 | ![]() Last Fight: 4/3/2008 |
11-5-1 |
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9 | ![]() Last Fight: 6/28/2009 |
21-4-0 |
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10 | ![]() Last Fight: 11/8/2008 |
13-4-0 |
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1. Yuka Tsuji (347 All-Time Points)
Amazingly, Tsuji has been ranked in the Top 10 ever since the outcome of her debut fight, nearly 8 years ago. She has only lost once in her career, against another top women’s fighter Tavares, which she later avenged. Like any female fighter, she’s had her stretches of weak opposition strength, but remains the best ever.
2. Tara LaRosa (260)
The best American female MMA fighter in history can’t seem to catch a break with bursting into the mainstream. Although she doesn’t have the glitz of Carano, or the physical attributes of Santos, she’s no stranger to the #1 position on our women’s list which she held for quite some time. However, to gain back her perch, she needs to fight higher quality opponents.
3. Jennifer Howe (173)
Like Tsuji, she jumped into the Top 10 right after her debut, but at a time when the women’s scene was incredibly weak. Still, she held a Top 10 position until her second loss to Modafferi. It’s been over four years since her last fight, so I have to assume that she’s retired.
4. Satoko Shinashi (129)
At only about 100 pounds, Shinashi has one of the most impressive records in MMA, period, at 29 (or 30)-2-2. Lately, she’s finding it tougher to hang out in the Top 10 due to the increasing competition.
5. Hisae Watanabe (127)
A veteran of Smackgirl, Pancrase, and DEEP, who holds a one-punch knockout victory of Satoko Shinashi, who is she 1-1 against. Although she retired in December 2007, she recently announced her interest in coming back and fighting soon.
6. Marloes Coenen (115)
Although having held a respectable ranking position from 2001 to 2008, she recently disappointed, losing to debutant Cindy Dandois in January of this year. Coenen has not fought since. The Dutch fighter is probably the biggest in the top ten, usually competing around 155 pounds.
7. Megumi Fujii (105)
Sure to climb up the list, Fujii really broke into the FightMatrix spotlight when she overtook the #1 spot from Tara LaRosa around the start of 2009. As she holds the top spot and continues to win, she’ll rise up quickly as its pretty tight up to #4.
8. Amanda Buckner (102)
Peaking at #2 in the rankings during 2006, Buckner is the third highest-ranked American on the list. Her last fight was a loss to Takayo Hashi in April 2008.
9. Miku Matsumoto (92)
Currently ranked #3, Matsumoto is the DEEP 106lb women’s champion. Like Fujii, Matsumoto has the current ranking and youth to overtake a few fighters on this list.
10. Roxanne Modafferi (91)
Modafferi rounds out the top ten. She holds two wins over Jennifer Howe, as well as a split decision win over Marloes Coenen. Having went through a streak of 2-4 between December 2004 and October 2006, she looks to have turned it around, recently going 6-0.