Amanda Nunes holds the title as the most accomplished female fighter in the 21st century.
That’s according to a new list from ESPN, which recently ranked the top men of the 21st century (see that lineup here). Nunes held titles in two different weight classes and retired with victories (and finishes) over Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, and Holly Holm, just to name a few.
Rousey and Cyborg secured third and second place, respectively.
Former flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko clocked in at No. 4, with longtime frenemy and ex-strawweight titleholder Joanna Jędrzejczyk rounding out the Top 5. Japanese sensation Megumi Fujii is the only non-UFC fighter to make the list.
Have a look:
1. Amanda Nunes (23-5)
2. Cris Cyborg (27-2, 1 NC)
3. Ronda Rousey (12-2)
4. Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1)
5. Joanna Jędrzejczyk (16-5)
6. Rose Namajunas (13-6)
7. Zhang Weili (25-3)
8. Miesha Tate (20-9)
9. Megumi Fujii (26-3)
10. Holly Holm (15-7, 1 NC)
Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto, and Jeff Wagenheim collaborated to compile the list.
Nunes, 36, has been (loosely) attached to a UFC comeback but nothing is official at this time. As for Cyborg, 39, she’s expected to make her PFL debut at some point before the end of the year. The 37 year-old Rousey retired from MMA back in early 2017.
Fortunately, this ex-champion is still active and ready to make women’s MMA relevant again.
