In this post, we will check out the top 10 best female UFC fighters in 2023.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the premier mixed martial arts organization in the world. Since its inception in 1993, the sport has grown exponentially in popularity, and its fighters have become household names.
Women’s mixed martial arts was introduced to the UFC in 2012, and since then, there have been many incredible female fighters who have made their mark on the sport.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the top 10 best female UFC fighters. These women have all achieved great success in the octagon, and have cemented their place in the history of the sport.
From former champions to rising stars, these fighters have shown incredible skill, determination, and athleticism. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 female UFC fighters of all time.
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Top 10 Best Female UFC Fighters 2023
10 Aspen Ladd
Aspen Ladd is a highly skilled mixed martial artist and one of the top 10 best female UFC fighters. Her fighting style is characterized by a relentless pace and exceptional grappling skills, which have earned her a reputation as one of the most dominant fighters in her weight class.
Ladd made her UFC debut in 2015 and quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. In her first four fights, she recorded three victories, including a first-round TKO over former title contender Tonya Evinger.
What sets Ladd apart from other fighters in her weight class is her relentless work ethic and unwavering determination to succeed.
She trains tirelessly with her team at MMA Gold in California, constantly refining her skills and pushing herself to new heights.
Her dedication has paid off in the form of a top 5 ranking in the UFC’s Bantamweight division and the respect of her peers and fans alike.
Looking to the future, there’s no doubt that Aspen Ladd has the potential to become a UFC champion. With her exceptional skillset, unrelenting drive, and unwavering determination, she is poised to achieve greatness in the sport of mixed martial arts.
As she continues to grow and develop as a fighter, it will be exciting to see what she can accomplish in the years to come. Aspen Ladd is number 10 in our list of the 10 greatest female MMA fighters of all time.
9 Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza is a mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is widely considered to be one of the top 10 best female ufc fighters in 2023.
Born in Torrance, California, in 1987, Esparza began her MMA career in 2010 and quickly made a name for herself as a talented wrestler with a strong ground game. She competed in various promotions before making her UFC debut in 2014.
Esparza’s UFC debut was a resounding success, as she won the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship by defeating Rose Namajunas in the finals of the Ultimate Fighter 20 tournament.
This victory cemented her place as one of the top female fighters in the world, and she has continued to impress in the years since.
With a professional record of 20 wins and 7 losses, Esparza is known for her well-rounded game, excellent wrestling skills, and relentless pressure on her opponents.
Esparza has faced some of the toughest competition in the UFC’s strawweight division, including Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Claudia Gadelha, and Michelle Waterson.
Despite these challenges, she has consistently proven herself to be one of the best fighters in the division. Her impressive resume also includes notable victories over Jessica Aguilar, Maryna Moroz, and Alexa Grasso.
In addition to her skills inside the octagon, Esparza is also known for her positive attitude and work ethic. She is respected by fans and fellow fighters alike for her dedication to the sport and her commitment to improving as a fighter.
As she continues to compete at the highest level of MMA, there is no doubt that she will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division. Carla Esparza is number 9 in our list of top 10 female ufc fighters of all time.
8 Holly Holm
Holly Holm is widely regarded as one of the greatest female fighters in the history of the UFC. With a professional record of 15 wins and 6 losses, Holm has competed in both the bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
She is a former UFC bantamweight champion and has fought against some of the toughest opponents in the sport, including Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, and Cris Cyborg.
Holm’s striking ability is one of her greatest strengths. She is a former professional boxer and kickboxer, and her technique and precision in the striking game are exceptional.
Holm’s signature move is her head kick, which she has used to devastating effect in many of her fights. Her footwork and movement are also highly praised, making her a difficult opponent to hit while allowing her to move in and out of range with ease.
Another aspect that makes Holm a top fighter is her mental toughness. She has demonstrated this on numerous occasions, such as in her fight against Ronda Rousey, where she remained calm and focused throughout the bout, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Her ability to stay composed and execute her game plan under pressure is a rare quality and has contributed significantly to her success in the Octagon.
In addition to her fighting skills, Holm is also highly respected outside of the cage. She is known for her professionalism, sportsmanship, and humility, and is a great ambassador for the sport of mixed martial arts.
Overall, Holly Holm’s record, technique, mental toughness, and character make her one of the 10 best female MMA fighters of all time.
She has proven time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with, and her legacy in the sport will be remembered for many years to come.
7 Germaine De Randamie
Germaine de Randamie, also known as “The Iron Lady,” is a Dutch mixed martial artist and former kickboxer who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight division.
With a professional MMA record of 10 wins and 4 losses, she has established herself as one of the top female fighters in the world.
In 2013, she signed with the UFC and began competing in the newly formed women’s bantamweight division.
De Randamie’s success in both kickboxing and MMA can be attributed to her striking ability and technique, which she has honed over years of training and competition.
She has a powerful and accurate right hand, as well as a variety of kicks and knees that she uses to keep her opponents at bay. In addition, she has shown an ability to adapt her game plan to the strengths and weaknesses of her opponents, making her a difficult fighter to prepare for.
She is undoubtedly one of the top 10 ufc women’s fighters in 2023, and her continued success in the octagon is a testament to her skill, determination, and hard work.
Whether she is competing at bantamweight or featherweight, fans can always expect a thrilling and competitive fight when “The Iron Lady” is in the cage.
6 Jessica Andrade
Jessica Andrade is widely considered one of the best female fighters in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
She is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the strawweight division of the UFC. Andrade has a professional record of 24 wins and 10 losses.
She has also won numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Performance of the Night award four times.
Andrade made her debut in the UFC in 2013 and quickly made a name for herself by defeating some of the top-ranked fighters in her division.
She earned a title shot against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in 2017 but lost the fight by unanimous decision. However, she bounced back and secured a championship win over Rose Namajunas in 2019, becoming the first Brazilian woman to win a UFC title.
Andrade’s fighting style is known for its aggressive and powerful nature. She possesses incredible strength and is a highly skilled striker and grappler.
Her ability to mix up her attacks and finish fights with both strikes and submissions makes her a formidable opponent for anyone in her weight class.
Despite some setbacks in her career, Andrade remains a top contender in the strawweight division and continues to impress fans and critics alike with her impressive performances inside the Octagon.
Her dedication and hard work have made her one of the most respected and admired fighters in the UFC today, and her legacy as one of the all-time greats in women’s MMA is firmly established.
5 Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Joanna Jedrzejczyk is a former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion and one of the best female fighters to ever step into the Octagon.
She boasts an impressive record of 16 wins and 5 losses in her professional MMA career, with notable victories over top contenders such as Jessica Andrade, Claudia Gadelha, and Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
Jedrzejczyk is known for her exceptional striking skills, which she honed during her years as a professional Muay Thai fighter in Poland.
Her crisp, technical striking and footwork have proven to be too much for many of her opponents, as she has outstruck them with a high volume of punches and kicks.
She is also a master at controlling the distance and pace of the fight, often frustrating her opponents with her defensive footwork and counterstrikes.
Jedrzejczyk’s accomplishments in the UFC include five successful title defenses during her reign as the Women’s Strawweight Champion, which tied Ronda Rousey’s record for most consecutive title defenses by a female fighter.
Overall, Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s technical striking prowess, footwork, and impressive record of accomplishments make her one of the Top 10 Best Female UFC Fighters of all time.
4 Zhang Weili
Zhang Weili is a professional mixed martial artist from China, who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
She is widely considered one of the top 10 best female UFC fighters of all time, due to her impressive record and numerous accolades.
Weili made her UFC debut in 2018 and quickly made a name for herself by winning her first four fights, including a TKO victory over Jessica Aguilar and a unanimous decision win over Tecia Torres.
However, it was her fifth fight that really put her on the map, as she defeated former champion Jessica Andrade to become the UFC strawweight champion in August 2019.
Since then, Weili has successfully defended her title twice, first against Joanna Jedrzejczyk in one of the greatest fights in UFC history, and then against Rose Namajunas.
Her fighting style is characterized by her aggressive striking and clinch work, as well as her ability to absorb punishment and keep coming forward.
Weili’s success in the UFC has not gone unnoticed, and she has been widely praised for her skill and toughness. In addition to being ranked among the top 10 best female ufc fighters in 2023, she has also been recognized as the Fighter of the Year by several publications, including ESPN and MMA Fighting.
Beyond her impressive fighting abilities, Weili is also a trailblazer for women’s MMA in China, where the sport is still relatively new.
Her success in the UFC has inspired a new generation of fighters and helped to raise the profile of MMA in her home country.
With her combination of skill, toughness, and charisma, she is sure to continue making waves in the sport for years to come.
3 Rosa Namajunas
Rosa Namajunas is widely considered to be one of the top 10 best female ufc fighters in 2023 in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Known for her powerful striking and excellent ground game, Namajunas has built a reputation as a tough and determined fighter who always brings her best to the octagon.
With an impressive record of 12 wins and 5 losses, including victories over some of the biggest names in women’s MMA, Namajunas has firmly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the UFC.
One of Namajunas’ most impressive performances came in November 2017, when she faced off against the then-undefeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship.
Despite being a heavy underdog going into the fight, Namajunas shocked the world by knocking out Jedrzejczyk in the first round to become the new champion.
The victory not only earned Namajunas the title but also cemented her place among the best female fighters in the sport.
In addition to her impressive record and notable victories, Namajunas is also known for her dedication to her craft and her willingness to speak out on important issues.
Whether she is defending her title or taking on a new opponent, Namajunas is always a fighter to watch, and her legacy in the sport is sure to endure for years to come.
2 Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko is one of the best female UFC fighters in the world today. Born in Kyrgyzstan and fighting out of Peru, Shevchenko has built a reputation as one of the most skilled and dominant fighters in the sport.
She has a record of 23 wins and just 4 losses in her professional MMA career. She has also held the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship since 2018, successfully defending the title multiple times.
One of the things that sets Shevchenko apart from other fighters is her striking ability. She is a highly skilled kickboxer and Muay Thai practitioner, and her punches, kicks, and knees are among the most devastating in the sport.
Shevchenko is also an excellent counter-striker, able to read her opponents’ movements and respond with precise strikes that often end fights.
Her striking skills have made her a feared opponent and a fan favorite, and she has won multiple “Performance of the Night” bonuses for her spectacular knockouts.
In addition to her striking skills, Shevchenko is also an accomplished grappler. She has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a skilled wrestler, which allows her to control fights both on the feet and on the ground.
With her impressive skills, dominant performances, and championship pedigree, she has earned her place among the top fighters in the sport.
1 Amanda Nunes
Amanda Nunes is widely regarded as the best female UFC fighter of all time and for good reason. With a record of 22 wins and 5 losses, Nunes has dominated the bantamweight and featherweight divisions since her debut in 2013.
Her impressive list of victories includes some of the biggest names in the sport, such as Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, and Cris Cyborg.
One of the things that sets Nunes apart from her peers is her versatility as a fighter. She is equally skilled in striking and grappling and has an impressive array of techniques in her arsenal.
Her striking is particularly devastating, with her powerful punches and kicks capable of ending fights in an instant. But she is also a skilled grappler, with a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and has won fights by submission as well.
Another factor that makes Nunes the best female UFC fighter is her consistency. She has defended her bantamweight title five times, and her featherweight title once, with each victory more impressive than the last.
Her dominant performances have earned her the respect and admiration of fans and fellow fighters alike, and she is widely recognized as a true champion in every sense of the word.
But perhaps what truly sets Nunes apart is her fearlessness. She is never one to back down from a challenge and has repeatedly taken on opponents who were considered to be unbeatable.
Her victories over Rousey, Cyborg, and Felicia Spencer are just a few examples of her willingness to take on the toughest opponents in the sport.
In summary, Amanda Nunes is the top 10 best female ufc fighters in 2023 due to her impressive record, versatile skill set, consistency, and fearlessness in the face of tough competition.
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