Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Women’s Strawweight

1. Weili Zhang (26-3) | UFC [1]

Zhang was more dominant than anyone could have imagined in the UFC 312 co-main event, as she overwhelmed Tatiana Suarez for four rounds after dropping the opening stanza. Not only did Zhang batter her opponent on the feet, but she also controlled the vast majority of the grappling exchanges against an accomplished wrestler. “Magnum” is now tied for the most title victories (six) in UFC strawweight history, and there doesn’t appear to be a clear threat to her reign at the top of the division at this point in time.

2. Virna Jandiroba (22-3) | UFC [2]

Jandiroba likely cemented her claim to a title shot at UFC 314, as she outgrappled Xiaonan Yan for the better part of three rounds to earn a unanimous decision triumph at the Kaseya Center in Miami on April 12. The former Invicta FC champ has won five straight in UFC competition, likely setting the stage for a future showdown with reigning champion Weili Zhang.

3. Xiaonan Yan (19-5, 1 NC) | UFC [3]

Yan struggled to remain upright against Virna Jandiroba at UFC 314, ultimately losing a unanimous decision in a preliminary strawweight affair at the Kaseya Center in Miami. The Team Alpha Male representative has lost two of her last three Octagon appearances — including a decision defeat to Weil Zhang in a title bout at UFC 300. With her 36th birthday on the horizon, “Fury” is looking at a long road back to title contention.

4. Tatiana Suarez (10-1) | UFC [4]

Suarez suffered a discouraging loss in her first title opportunity, dropping a lopsided unanimous verdict against Weili Zhang in the UFC 312 co-main event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Australia on Feb. 8. The Californian, who had been billed as a future champion since early in her promotional tenure, was unable to implement her wrestling against her Chinese opponent after a promising opening frame. While Suarez demonstrated considerable heart by making it a full five rounds, she looked out of her depth against one of the division’s all-time greats.

5. Jessica Andrade (26-13) | UFC [5]

Andrade’s return to 125 pounds was spoiled by Natalia Silva, as “Bate Estaca” dropped a unanimous decision in the UFC Fight Night 242 co-headliner on Sept. 7. Andrade hasn’t won at flyweight since besting Lauren Murphy in January 2023, so it appears her best route might be to continue competing at 115 pounds, where she has earned back-to-back victories over Marina Rodriguez and Mackenzie Dern. Nonetheless, the Brazilian will stay at flyweight for a matchup against Jasmine Jasudavicius at UFC 315.

6. Amanda Lemos (15-4-1) | UFC [6]

Lemos relied on takedowns, top control and ground-and-pound to take a largely uneventful unanimous verdict over Isamin Lucindo at UFC 313 on March 8. While it wasn’t a statement victory, it was a much-needed return to the win column for the former title challenger, who was coming off a submission loss to Virna Jandiroba in July 2024.

7. Iasmin Lucindo (17-6) | UFC [7]

Lucindo entered UFC 313 with the momentum of a four-bout promotional winning streak, but that came to an abrupt halt in a forgettable decision loss to former title challenger Amanda Lemos at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Lucindo landed just four significant strikes in a discouraging performance, but at just 23 years old the Brazilian still has plenty of time for growth and development.

8. Mackenzie Dern (15-5) | UFC [8]

Dern avenged a previous loss to Amanda Ribas in impressive fashion in the UFC Vegas 101 headliner, as she submitted her Brazilian foe with an armbar at the 4:56 mark of Round 3. After dropping a unanimous verdict to Ribas in their first meeting in October 2019, Dern’s patience was impressive as she methodically worked to set up the fight ending maneuver. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has now rebounded from the first two-bout skid of her pro career with back-to-back triumphs over Ribas and Lupita Godinez.

9. Lupita Godinez (13-5) UFC [11]

“Loopy” got back into the win column at UFC on ESPN 64 on March 29, taking a unanimous decision over Julia Polastri. The victory snapped the first losing streak of Godinez’s career and leaves the 31-year-old Mexican with plenty of matchup options to continue her climb back up the UFC’s crowded but dynamic strawweight ladder.

10. Tabatha Ricci (11-3) UFC [12]

Ricci’s first crack at a Top 5 contender proved to be too much, too soon for “Baby Shark,” as former title challenger Xiaonan Yan was able to stay upright and outbox the Brazilian grappler for most of their three-round meeting at UFC Macau. The loss snapped a two-fight win streak for Ricci, who nonetheless figures to have more chances to prove her contender mettle in the future, as one of the younger up-and-comers and a relatively fresh face in a division that needs both.

Other Contenders: Amanda Ribas, Tabatha Ricci, Angela Hill, Gillian Robertson, Tecia Pennington, Luana Pinheiro.

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