We debuted our division-specific Womens rankings a few weeks ago and I thought I would take the time to introduce our viewers to the top women in the sport.
1. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos
2. Tara LaRosa
Although having recently lost a narrow division to Roxanne Modafferi (who is now in the 135lb division) at a catchweight , LaRosa is probably one of the two or three very best fighters in the history of Womens MMA. Like Santos, LaRosa also benefits by fighting in an extremely weak division (even more so), going undefeated between 2004 through mid-2010, although she also spent some of this time beating quality opponents at 135.
3. Yasuko Tamada
With a usual fight weight of approximately 100 pounds, along with Satoko Shinashi, Tamada is historically the best fighter in this weight area. Although this weight class is relatively non-existent in the states, it is actually fairly well developed in Japan.
4. Megumi Fujii
Recognized on most fan lists as the top pound-for-pound female fighter, Fujii ranks #4 (and not #1-3) on this list, primarily because she is just now fighting top competition on a global scale. Even in Japan, she never managed to fight other top division stalwarts like Miku Matsumoto, Mei Yamaguchi, or Yuka Tsuji. Aside from that, its hard to not acknowledge the 22-0 record and now that’s she’s in the states, her position on this list can only rise with some more quality wins.
5. Marloes Coenen
After fighting for nearly 10 years at 145 pounds and above, Coenen dropped to 135 to take out Sarah Kaufman and win the only belt in this division that really matters on the global scale. Her previous point balance combined with this recent achievement is enough to earn her the #5 spot.
6. Sarah Kaufman
Probably the best female fighter ever from Canada, Kaufman recently saw her undefeated streak come to a close at the hands of #5 Coenen. She still remains on this list thanks to recent wins over fighters like Roxanne Modafferi, Takayo Hashi, Miesha Tate, and Shayna Baszler.
7. Miku Matsumoto
Although she’s officially retired (since when is retirement from MMA ever really official?), she remains on our list. Accumulating an impressive 23-4 record, she’s been hanging around the same weight as Megumi Fujii, although slightly smaller, Matsumoto has not lost since September 2006, winning and defending the DEEP Womens Lightweight Championship (106lb) many times, while also taking fights in the 115lb division, and even fought once at 139lb.
8. Misaki Takimoto
Takimoto earns this position, primarily because Matsumoto and Seo Hee Ham are being ranked at 115. Nevertheless, Takimoto is the best fighter in the 105lb division, aside from Yasuko Tamada (ranked at #3). Don’t put much stock in her mediocre record (12-11-4), because her opposition strength has been second to none.
9. Cat Albert
At 4-0, her record is a little “light” for division dominance. And once again, here’s another fighter who benefits from being one of the best in a weak division (125lb). She’s made the most of her limited experience in professional MMA and thus, she earns the #9 position.
10. Hiroko Yamanaka
A hulking figure in terms of female fighters, standing at 5’11”, Yamanaka was easily the best “open-weight” female fighter in the world. Recently, she proved she had the ability to make 143lb, which could lead to a promising match with Santos if she’s on the StrikeForce radar.