In case you missed it, Sherdog presented an article of the Top 10 Female MMA Fighters of All-Time
The names are similar, but they certainly differ from our All-Time Rankings
Sherdog #10 – Tara LaRosa (Fight Matrix – #6)
Although never officially fighting the UFC, LaRosa’s ledger is one of the most impressive in the history of the female side of the sport. She managed to catch on in many different organizations to get (mostly) quality fights and compile a 22-5 record in doing so. Her most recent fight against Modafferi was a disaster and she’s probably far beyond her prime, but she’s easily one of the very best few before the Rousey/Cyborg era.
FightMatrix #10 – Jessica Aguilar (Sherdog – Unranked)
Sherdog #9 – Amanda Nunes (Fight Matrix – #19)
She’s more than likely going to quickly rise up our list with time, but this seems a little premature. Champions who win a major belt and don’t successfully defend, seem like a group that grows with each UFC event. If she gets Rousey next, it could be a very short stay at the top of the division.
FightMatrix #9 – Jennifer Howe (Sherdog – Unranked)
Sherdog #8 – Marloes Coenen (Fight Matrix – #4)
Sure, the recent loss looks bad, but she’s been a top fighter for a long, long time. It’s easy to forget or never realize that she’s been fighting for almost 16 years and has stayed relevant throughout.
FightMatrix #8 – Miesha Tate (Sherdog – #5)
Sherdog #7 – Holly Holm (Fight Matrix – #21)
See the snippet for Nunes. The same applies here. Sure, she shocked the world by beating Rousey, but a single win does not define a fighter as an all-time great. Regardless, she may be the very best professional female combat fighter in history when you consider he boxing achievements.
FightMatrix #7 – Sarah Kaufman (Sherdog – Unranked)
Sherdog #6 – Gina Carano (Fight Matrix – Unranked)
This is a real “swing and a miss.” Easily the most overrated fighter in the list. If the list were based off of looks, perhaps Carano could challenge for a Top 6 position. However, Carano’s career was short, relatively uneventful and ended in a flaming disaster against a dominant Cyborg. Carano could’ve been dropped from this list, with fighters like Sarah Kaufman or Yuka Tsuji added to it.
FightMatrix #6 – Tara LaRosa (Sherdog – #10)
Sherdog #5 – Miesha Tate (Fight Matrix – #8)
We’re pretty close on this one. She won the title in the UFC and Strike Force, but again, successfully defended neither. However, her longevity near the top of the pile earns her a top 10 spot here.
FightMatrix #5 – Megumi Fujii (Sherdog – #3)
Sherdog #4 – Joanna Jedrzejczyk (Fight Matrix – #16)
Seemingly rough at first glance, the bulk of the rating points at any given time, have historically been at higher weight divisions in Women’s MMA. Only in recent times, has strength moved toward the 115-point division. Nevertheless, with the first-half of her career taking place at the forever weak 125-pound division and her time in the UFC relatively short, she’ll continue to compile points and quickly move up our all-time ranking list.
FightMatrix #4 – Marloes Coenen (Sherdog – #8)
Sherdog #3 – Megumi Fujii (Fight Matrix – #5)
Along with Tate, Fujii is another fighter where there is nearly agreement. Fujii’s rating is hurt at FM for a couple reasons, but primarily due to the botched decisions against Frausto and Aguilar. I take no issue with Fujii at #3. I do take issue with our #3, Tsuji, not being mentioned over at Sherdog.
FightMatrix #3 – Yuka Tsuji (Sherdog – Unranked)
Sherdog #2 – Ronda Rousey (Fight Matrix – #1)
So, we’re mixed up at #1 and #2. I feel like, if the tables were turned and Rousey had a match scheduled, with Cyborg still on the sidelines and nothing having changed in their actual careers, Sherdog would agree with us. However, we’re left with Rousey in quasi-retirement and Cyborg actually getting fights in the UFC. Will we ever see these two fight? I think so. Though, it will probably be in the mold of Mayweather/Pacquiao — too little, too late, with one or both fighters at a non-optimal fight weight.
Despite her shitty attitude and questionable catch phrases, Rousey has actually proven the most in the history of the sport.
FightMatrix #2 – Cris Cyborg (Sherdog – #1)
Sherdog #1 – Cris Cyborg (Fight Matrix – #2)
Despite the steroid accusations, what if Cyborg were just an inch shorter, or had a slightly smaller frame — you know, just enough of a physical difference so she could comfortably make 135 pounds. Would she still be the same fighter? Would we have already seen the Rousey fight? Who knows.
FightMatrix #1 – Ronda Rousey (Sherdog – #2)
And for fun.. a hybrid list.
1. Ronda Rousey (t)
1. Cris Cyborg (t)
3. Megumi Fujii
4. Marloes Coenen
5. Miesha Tate
6. Yuka Tsuji
7. Tara LaRosa
8. Sarah Kaufman
9. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (t)
9. Jennifer Howe (t)