The strawweight division has been on hold for a year as champ Rose Namajunas hasn’t been in action since she picked up her second win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 223. That was back in April 2018. After a long lay off, the champion will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to face top contender, heavy hitter, and Brazilian native, Jessica Andrade at UFC 237 this weekend.

The “Thug Rose” Era

Rose Namajunas dethroned the longtime queen at 115lbs to capture the belt. Only 25 years of age at the time, many predicted a new era in which “Thug Rose” would dominate the division and become a star of the sport. One year on and with a single defense to her name, the “Thug Rose” era hasn’t been the success many had envisioned.

Back in action and heading to enemy territory to a defend her belt shows great confidence in her ability. With a fun style that encompasses kickboxing, BJJ, and wrestling, she certainly mixes it up and is one of the most exciting female fighters in combat sport history. A win at UFC 237 cements her legacy and keeps the “Thug Rose” era in full swing.

A New Champion?

Jessica Andrade has challenged and fell short once before at 115lbs, losing a unanimous decision to Joanna Jedrzejczyk in 2017. Andrade left without the belt but gained many fans that night. Despite losing, Andrade continuously hunted down the champ in an admirable effort that displayed great heart and desire. Since that loss, she has looked better than ever, putting together a 3-fight win streak. Wins over top contenders #5 Claudia Gadelha, #8 Tecia Torres, and #10 Karolina Kowalkiewicz cemented Andrade as the next in line and many believe she is the champ in waiting.

Who’s next in line?

The strawweight division is one to watch this year. With a great mix of rising stars and established contenders at 115lbs, it provides fight fans with plenty of reasons to tune in. Officially Joanna Jedrzeczyk is next in line, sitting at #2 in the rankings and she may well get the next shot. Her credentials are undeniable but her shot may well hinge on who wins this weekend. A third fight with Namajunas simply wont sell. However, being the last woman to beat Andrade, she has a significant chance of getting the call should Jessica Andrade emerge the new champion.

Tatiana Suarez looks like a problem at 115lbs. At 7-0 she has pretty much smashed through everyone shes fought and sits pretty at #3 in the rankings. Wins over former champ #9 Carla Esparza and #13 ranked Alexa Grasso have the 28 year old, Californian on the verge of a title shot. Firstly, shes got #4 Nina Ansaroff to deal with. Perhaps more known for being the fiancé of champ champ Amanda Nunes, Ansaroff is slowly making a name for herself. A 4-fight win streak over the likes of Claudia Gadelha and #14 Randa Markos has Ansaroff on the verge of a shot herself.

Make no mistake, the next shot will go to one of these three women. Each a serious contender for whoever comes out victorious at UFC 237.

The Best Of The Rest

A division stacked with potential champions, strawweight has a whole host of women just one or two big wins away from a shot. Most notably is Chinese fighter #6 Weili Zhang. Holding a 19-1 record, her win streak stretches all the way back to 2013. Since dropping her debut, Zhang has looked flawless, especially in the UFC. Last time out she beat Tecia Torres and established herself among the best at 115lbs. One more win and shes knocking at that door for a shot.

Elsewhere we have #7 Michelle Waterson on a 3-fight win streak. After beating Karolina Kowalkiewicz last time out, she called for a title shot. “The Karate Hottie” has looked great as of late and another big win has her right in line. Don’t be surprised to see her matched against Zhang to establish a new contender at 115lbs.

The UFC strawweight division is the most exciting in women’s MMA. Any of the fighters in the top 15 are more than capable of making a run and establishing themselves as a contender for the title. With the belt finally back in play after the hiatus of Rose Namajunas, we can now look forward to many greats fights between the women who are striving to become champion.

UFC Strawweight Rankings

CHAMPION: Rose Namajunas

#1 Jessica Andrade

#2 Joanna Jedrzejczyk

#3 Tatiana Suarez

#4 Nina Ansaroff

#5 Claudia Gadelha

#6 Weili Zhang

#7 Michelle Waterson

#8 Tecia Torres

#9 Carla Esparza

#10 Karolina Kowalkiewicz

#11 Cynthia Calvillo

#12 Felice Herrig

#13 Alexa Grasso

#14 Randa Markos

#15 Cortney Casey

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Follow our writer Jordan Ellis (@JordanEllisUK).





