Next 5 Fights to Make at Women's Bantamweight
In the last two weeks, we've had multiple bouts take place with significant impact on the women's Bantamweight division. The only division in the UFC with a vacant champion, there's an opportunity for some fascinating matchups. The top five has young contenders and grizzled veterans alike, and anyone could end up with the belt. Let's take a look at five potential bouts in the women's 135 pound weight class.
5. #5 Holly Holm vs. #9 Macy Chiasson
Perpetual top contender and legend Holly Holm is likely approaching the end of her career, going 3-3 in her last six bouts. At first glance, this looks like a significant downturn, but her previous three losses were all to top-five opponents, one of which was Amanda Nunes. Holm is one of MMA's most well-rounded and well-respected athletes, often heralded as one of the greats since her triumphant defeat of Ronda Rousey in 2015. Holm, one of the most credentialed female strikers, was recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Now ranked number five in the division following her loss to Mayra Bueno Silva, Holm is in a unique position. Unlikely to make another title run yet still in the top 5, the best thing for her would be a young contender. Enter Macy Chiasson, a 31-year-old striker who has similarly gone 3-3 in her last six. The winner of the Ultimate Fighter season 28, Chiasson is a big bantamweight with solid power and decent wrestling.
Starting as a striker, Chiasson has rounded out her game in her promotional tenure, and with her size, she’s a problem for anyone at women’s 135. Holm has faced nothing but the best in the UFC, and at 41 years old, she could benefit from fighting someone a bit lower in the rankings. On the other hand, Chiasson hasn’t faced anyone of the skill or name value of Holm and would benefit significantly from the matchup, even in a loss. Both fighters have similar builds and skillsets, and with both coming off a loss, now is the time to make this matchup.
4. #12 Norma Dumont vs. #7 Pannie Kianzad
Norma Dumont is one of the most underappreciated fighters in the division. Debuting in the UFC in 2020, she has quietly amassed a 6-2 record and is currently on a three-fight win streak. An excellent striker with a Sanda background, she has great speed and power in her kicks and punches. Despite her roots, Dumont is no specialist and is a solid grappler with heavy ground and pound. She proved she could shine under the big lights when she was awarded a Fight Night main event in 2021, which she won by unanimous decision. She has been very active with two fights already in 2023, and with the lack of damage she took in her victory over Chelsea Chandler, she could fight again this year.
Despite coming off a loss, Pannie Kianzad would be an excellent matchup. She is a dangerous striker with great technical boxing. She often looks to counterstrike and damage her opponents when they enter the pocket. Like Dumont, Kianzad has grappling abilities, holding a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and great top control. A win in this bout would benefit both; Dumont would beat a higher-ranked opponent and move up, and Kianzad could get back in the win column and possibly the title picture.
3. #6 Irene Aldana vs #10 Karol Rosa
Top contender Irene Aldana is one of the many fighters left in the wake of Amanda Nunes. Before her championship loss to the GOAT, she was on a two-fight win streak and had amassed a 7-4 record in the UFC. A true striking specialist, she’s one of the most boxing-heavy fighters in the division. She has great cardio and is always aggressive, constantly pressing forward and unloading combinations. To back up her aggression, Aldana has excellent head movement in footwork, typically landing more damage than she absorbs. Never content to point-fight, she puts power in every shot and has two first-round knockouts in the UFC. An excellent matchup for her would be Karol Rosa.
Practically the opposite of Aldana, Rosa has a rich grappling background and is a BJJ black belt. She has excellent takedowns and fantastic top control, often controlling her opponents for entire rounds. She has decent hands and is willing to engage on the feet, but is at her best on the mat, landing damage from top position. A truly classic matchup of striker versus grappler, a win would benefit either greatly. Aldana could prove she can defeat great grapplers, whereas Rosa could prove her skills at the top of the division.
2. #1 Julianna Pena vs. #4 Ketlen Vieira
Yet another fighter left in limbo by the retirement of Amanda Nunes, Julianna Pena is the #1 contender in a division without a champion. A true underdog, she pulled off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history when she defeated Nunes in 2021 for the title. She has only lost to former champions and has gone 7-3 in the promotion since her debut in 2013. Pena is a dominant wrestler who averages nearly two takedowns landed per fight and has four finishes in the UFC. Following the Nunes victory, she’s become a bit controversial, with constant trash talk and a bevy of self-belief. I don’t feel she deserves a title shot off a loss, so defending her #1 contendership against Ketlen Vieira makes perfect sense.
Vieira is powerful everywhere, with some serious pop in her punches and excellent wrestling. Holding black belts in BJJ and judo, Vieira has great top control and a dangerous submission game. She can hold her own on the feet, throwing constant heat and pressuring forward. With such similar skill sets, both could cause problems for the other. Both are at the top of the division but haven’t entirely earned a title shot in the eyes of fans, and a dominant win in this matchup would be huge for either.
1. #2 Raquel Pennington vs. #3 Mayra Bueno Silva
In her tenth year in the UFC, Raquel Pennington has only lost to champions in her promotional tenure and currently rides a five-fight win streak. One of the most experienced fighters in the sport, she’s never lost a step and is still one of the best strikers in MMA. She can hurt her opponent from anywhere with great technical boxing and fantastic clinch striking. Pennington also has excellent footwork and speed, never staying in one spot and constantly attacking from different angles. She varies her shots very well, throws everything in combination, and can easily push a heavy pace across 15 minutes. With one of the best resumes and the longest winning streak in the top 5, Pennington deserves a shot at the vacant title, and Mayra Bueno Silva is the perfect opponent.
Bueno Silva has quickly risen to the top, entering the promotion in 2018 and going 6-2-1, now on a four-fight win streak. Following a massive second-round submission win over Holly Holm, she’s proven she’s one of the best and ready for a shot at the title. With five wins by submission in the UFC, Bueno Silva is at her most dangerous on the ground in top position. Fighting with a Muay Thai style on the feet, she has great power in her hands and uses her striking to set up her grappling. Both would benefit significantly from a title shot; Pennington could finally secure her legacy as a legend of the sport, and Bueno Silva could make herself a household name. Either way, we’d have an excellent champion filling the shoes of Amanda Nunes, something this division desperately needs.
