Since Ronda Rousey joined UFC, the popularity of women’s MMA is in a steadily rising trend.
The UFC women’s roster is now full of talented sports stars, known for the martial arts.
There is an elite legion of women combatants to discover, past and present.
The MMA’s division is new enough to look back reasonably quickly and see its founding legends, establishing champions and building combatants.
But today, we’ll be looking at the ladies dominating the division right now. These athletes are seriously jacked up and can severely fight even fighters from the male division if given a chance.
Here are the top 10 best women UFC fighters 2025:
10. Mackenzie Dern
Mackenzie Dern won the UFC Women’s Strawweight title by defeating Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 in October 2025. She became the first woman to win IBJJF, ADCC, and UFC titles, making MMA history. Dern is already planning her first title defense, and she has expressed interest in fighting top contenders like Zhang Weili and Tatiana Suarez. She is determined to be an active champion and face the division’s best fighters. Her title win has been described as a culmination of years of training and perseverance, fulfilling her lifelong dream.
9. Raquel Pennington
Raquel Pennington is a professional MMA fighter competing in the UFC Women’s Bantamweight division. As of 2025, she has a record of about 16 wins and 10 losses. Nicknamed “Rocky,” she stands 5’7″ tall with a reach of 67 inches and fights with a switch stance.
Pennington is known for her striking ability with a significant striking accuracy of around 49% and solid strike defense at 61%. She has notable wins over fighters like Ketlen Vieira, Aspen Ladd, and Macy Chiasson and has fought high-profile opponents such as Holly Holm and Julianna Pena. Pennington has shown resilience and experience in the bantamweight division, contributing greatly to women’s MMA. She trains out of Altitude MMA and continues to compete actively as of 2025.
8. Erin Blanchfield
Erin Blanchfield is a UFC women’s flyweight fighter ranked in the top five as of 2025. Her record stands at 13 wins and 2 losses, with notable victories over Rose Namajunas, Taila Santos, Jessica Andrade, and Molly McCann. Blanchfield is known for her well-rounded skills, earning wins by decision, submission, and knockout. She continues to compete as an elite contender and is recognized for her grappling, striking, and young age within the division.
7. Julianna Peña
Julianna Peña is an American MMA fighter nicknamed “The Venezuelan Vixen” who competes in the UFC Women’s Bantamweight division. As of 2025, her professional record is 13 wins and 6 losses. Peña became UFC Bantamweight Champion by defeating Amanda Nunes in December 2021, then regained the title by beating Raquel Pennington in October 2024.
In June 2025, Peña lost her title to Kayla Harrison by submission at UFC 316. She is known for her aggressive fighting style, capable grappling, and landmark win over Nunes, which was considered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Peña is ranked among the top bantamweights and remains a key figure in women’s MMA.
6. Alexa Grasso
Alexa Grasso is the current UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion as of 2025. She won the title by defeating Valentina Shevchenko via face crank submission at UFC 285 in March 2023, becoming the first Mexican UFC women’s champion. Grasso defended her title in a split draw rematch against Shevchenko in September 2023 and lost the belt in their third fight at UFC 306 in September 2024 by unanimous decision. After losing the title, she fought Natalia Silva at UFC 315 in May 2025 but lost by unanimous decision. Grasso holds an overall record of 16 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, known for being a technical striker and submission artist fighting out of Guadalajara, Mexico. She is currently ranked #3 in the UFC women’s flyweight division.
5. Manon Fiorot
Manon Fiorot is a French UFC women’s flyweight fighter with a professional record of 13 wins and 2 losses as of 2025. She is known as “The Beast” and holds a 53% knockout rate, having won 7 fights by KO/TKO. Fiorot is ranked #2 in the UFC women’s flyweight division and #4 in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
In 2025, she fought Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship at UFC 315 but lost by unanimous decision. Fiorot has notable wins over top contenders including Erin Blanchfield and Rose Namajunas, and she won her latest fight by first-round TKO against Jasmine Jasudavicius in October 2025. Fiorot is recognized for her striking power, technical skills, and consistency in women’s MMA.
4. Natália Silva
Natália Silva is a Brazilian UFC women’s flyweight fighter with a professional MMA record of 19 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw as of 2025. She made her UFC debut in June 2022 and quickly rose in the division with an undefeated UFC record of 7-0, including wins over Alexa Grasso, Jessica Andrade, and Viviane Araújo.
Silva is known for her striking and grappling skills, holding two UFC bonuses (Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night). She is ranked #1 in the UFC women’s flyweight division and #8 in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings as of mid-2025. Silva fights southpaw and trains with Team Borracha in Brazil. Her recent winning streak and top rankings highlight her as a rising key contender in the flyweight division.
3. Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison is a highly decorated MMA fighter and UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion as of 2025. She boasts a professional MMA record of 19 wins and 1 loss, with victories by KO, submission, and decision. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, Harrison made her UFC debut in April 2024, submitting former champ Holly Holm. She defended her dominance by beating Ketlen Vieira and then captured the UFC Bantamweight title by submitting Julianna Peña via kimura at UFC 316 in June 2025, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Harrison trains with American Top Team and is ranked #2 in the UFC bantamweight and #7 pound-for-pound rankings.
2. Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili is a Chinese professional MMA fighter and former two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion with a record of 26 wins and 3 losses as of 2025. She defended her strawweight title successfully multiple times, with victories over fighters like Tatiana Suarez, Amanda Lemos, Yan Xiaonan, and Carla Esparza. Zhang is known for her aggressive style, well-rounded skills, and fight-ending power.
In October 2025, Zhang vacated the strawweight title to move up to the flyweight division. She is scheduled to challenge the flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322 in November 2025. Zhang is currently ranked #2 in the women’s pound-for-pound and holds a peak Elo rating reflecting her elite status.
1. Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko is the reigning UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion in 2025, widely regarded as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time. She has an MMA record of 25 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with notable skills in striking, grappling, and defense.
Shevchenko regained the UFC flyweight title at UFC 306 in September 2024 by defeating Alexa Grasso, then successfully defended it against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 in May 2025 via unanimous decision. She is scheduled to face former UFC strawweight queen Zhang Weili at UFC 322 in November 2025, in a highly anticipated super fight at Madison Square Garden. Her fight style is technical and precise, earning her a reputation as “The Bullet” for her speed and accuracy.
Valentina has a record ten UFC title fight wins and is currently ranked #1 in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
What about Rousey as number 1?