The women’s lightweight division is in the spotlight on December 29 with two high-profile fights coming up for the division.



The women’s 155-pound division has gained significant attention over the past year thanks to organizations such as RIZIN Fighting Federation, ROAD FC, Dynasty Combat Sports, Revolution Combat Championships and DEEP JEWELS opening the doors to female fighters weighing in at lightweight and above, rather than most organizations which only book women weighing in at 145-pounds or below.

WMMA Lightweight-Welterweight World Rankings

Take a look at a rundown on December 29’s fights below.

King Reina vs. Cindy “Battlecat” Dandois

“RIZIN Fighting World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round” on December 29

The number-one women’s lightweight fighter returns in King Reina, she faces her toughest competitor to date when she takes on former UFC and Invicta FC veteran, Cindy Dandois.

Reina (7-0) made her professional debut just over a year ago. The 21-year-old has remained extremely active since November 2016, picking up four finishes and keeping her perfect undefeated record intact with seven total victories. She owns notable wins over Shayna Baszler, Crystal Stokes, Jazzy Gabert and Lei’D Tapa. The “King” is an example of a woman who is unable to make featherweight and would not be able to compete as regularly if organization’s such as RIZIN had not allowed her weight-class to compete.

Dandois (9-2) is a veteran of the sport who has been fighting as a professional since the year 2009. The 33-year-old is coming off an impressive first-round TKO win over Kerry Hughes at the recent Cage Warriors 89 event, which took place in Dandois’ home country of Belgium. The “Battlecat” has made it known that she was not fan of the weight cuts she had to endure when competing as a bantamweight for Invicta FC and UFC. She has not lost to any woman who currently competes at 145-pounds or above, owning notable victories against Invicta FC featherweight champion, Megan Anderson, as well as women’s MMA pioneer, Marloes Coenen.

The fight between Reina and Dandois is no doubt one of the biggest women’s fights of the year and will determine the queen of the 155-pound women’s lightweight division. Stylistically the matchup is an interesting one, both women tend to shy away from the standup aspect of the sport and have a very Judo-based MMA game. Will the “King” reign supreme? Or will the “Battlecat” steal her throne in her lightweight debut?

“RIZIN Fighting World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round” takes place on December 29 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event will be aired live on pay-per-view via FITE TV.

Sarah “Primal” Patterson vs. Moriel “The Mo-Chine” Charneski

“Revolution Combat Championships 14” on December 29

The number-two ranked women’s lightweight fighter, Sarah Patterson, returns to take on Moriel Charneski.

Patterson (5-3-0) has been competing as a professional mixed martial artist since the year of 2002. She has won four of her last five, which includes first-round stoppages over Tamikka Brents, Erica Grover and Kate Bloomfield. The 33-year-old looks to rebound from a controversial decision loss to Jozette Cotton at the recent Dynasty Combat Sports 37 event. Despite the loss, Patterson was very close to finishing the fight on multiple occasions, bloodying and battering Cotton in the process.

Charneski (2-4-0) will be returning from a 19-month layoff. The 28-year-old will be looking to rebound from a two-fight losing skid. Much like the previously mentioned Cindy Dandois, Charneski has had enough of attempting to make bantamweight and believes she can perform at a much higher level when cutting less weight. Throughout her amateur and professional careers, she has yet to be finished by an opponent.

The fight between Patterson and Charneski is a very exciting one for the division. Patterson will be looking to show why she is one of the top stars in the division by adding another impressive highlight reel performance to her record and perhaps eventually challenge the winner of Reina vs. Dandois for the number one spot sometime in 2018. Meanwhile, the fight marks a new start of sorts for Charneski, who looks to make an immediate statement in a new division by taking out one of it’s top-ranked contenders.

‘Revolution Combat Championships 14’ takes place on December 29 from the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States. Streaming details will be announced in the near future.

WMMA Lightweight/Welterweight World Rankings

Fight fans, what are your predictions for December’s female lightweight fights? Let us know in the comments section below.

Share this: Facebook

Twitter

Email

