5 blockbuster women's matchups that could headline UFC PPVs

The first women's matchup to headline a UFC pay-per-view was Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 in 2013.

2021 will be the first year since women were brought into the promotion where no UFC PPVs were headlined by female fighters.

This may be due to a number of reasons. For starters, women's MMA undoubtedly misses its biggest star as Ronda Rousey has not fought in the octagon since 2016. Another reason could be a lack of competition in some of the weight divisions.

While this is to their credit, both Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko have dominated their divisions, leaving a lack of close matchups that create intrigue. On top of that, the featherweight division is so light there aren't even rankings for 145lbs.

That is not to say we are seeing a decline in women's MMA. The UFC roster is still packed with exciting talent that you could argue are competing at a higher level than ever before. Julianna Peña's shocking upset of Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 proved this. With more talent than ever, there's no lack of great matchups to be made.

Furthermore, there are still matchups to be made that would be deserving of a spot at the top of a UFC PPV card. Here are five fights that are big enough to live up to that billing:

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#5. Joanna Jedrzeczyk vs. Zhang Weili II

Weili defeated Jedrzeczyk via split decision at UFC 248

First off, the obvious issue with this one at the moment is that neither fighter currently holds a UFC title. However, given both women have done so in the past, there is no reason to believe that that will not change in the future.

Regardless, given that their first fight was widely regarded as the greatest women's MMA fight of all time, there would likely still be a number of fans willing to pay to see the rematch.

The first bout between the two saw a back-and-forth striking war that did not let up through five rounds of action. Both women left everything inside the cage and the result was very close. Weili was given the nod and won via split-decision.

In any case, Joanna Jedrzeczyk returning to the octagon in 2022 will be a big deal for women's MMA. Pairing her up against a world-class competitor like Zhang Weili would draw plenty of eyes, particularly given the way the pair's first bout went.

#4. Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jedrzeczyk III

Namajunas defeated Jedrzejczyk via unanimous decision at UFC 223

Rose Namajunas may be the biggest female star in the UFC today. No foe has ever created quite as much bad blood in a fight with her as Joanna Jedrzeczyk. Few fans would complain about seeing these two fight for a third time.

Jedrzeczyk is one of the best on the UFC roster at selling a fight and could build the rematch perfectly. Should she return to the top of the strawweight rankings in 2022, as she has stated she intends to, this fight could make all the sense in the world.

Seeing the two greatest strawweights of all time go at it one last time would be big business for the UFC.

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#3. Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade III

The series between Andrade and Namajunas is tied at 1-1

Given the popularity of Rose Namajunas in the UFC, it should be no surprise that she appears for a second time on this list. There may not be a bigger matchup for her at the moment than the woman who ended her first championship reign.

Jessica Andrade knocked out Namajunas in the second round of their first bout at UFC 237. 'Thug Rose' tied the trilogy at 1-1 after defeating Andrade via split-decision at UFC 251.

Seeing the culmination of this trilogy between two great fighters would be sure to draw plenty of attention. Especially if Namajunas were to go back to Rio de Janiero to right the wrongs of their first bout, this one has the potential to be massive.

The trilogy fight also still has the capacity to draw despite the fact that the UFC 237 fight was the only pay-per-view main event either fighter has competed in thus far in their careers. Seeing these two throw down to end the rivalry would do big business for the UFC.

#2. Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Peña II

Peña submitted Nunes at UFC 269

Amanda Nunes has already proved herself capable of headlining a UFC pay-per-view, having done so on five occasions. While Julianna Peña is yet to do so thus far in her UFC career, she has just pulled off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history by defeating Amanda Nunes at UFC 269. There is sure to be large demand for the rematch.

Few gave Peña much of a chance heading into her bout with Nunes, but 'The Venezuelan Vixen' sent UFC fans into a frenzy when she upset the odds to win via second-round submission. There is now massive intrigue as to who would win a potential rematch.

The division has lacked interest due to Nunes' dominance but Peña's win was a huge burst of excitement that now needs to be capitalized on. Booking Peña against Nunes in a rematch as soon as possible will be sure to draw a ton of attention to the women's 135lbs division.

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#1. Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko III

The last fight between Nunes and Shevchenko was a controversial victory for Amanda Nunes

Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko have established themselves as the two greatest female martial artists of all time. Despite what happened at UFC 269, this remains the biggest possible fight on the horizon.

Obviously there are now obstacles that stand in the way of this potential trilogy bout. Nunes would have to defeat Peña in a rematch to reclaim her spot at the top of the UFC's bantamweight division before talk of this fight could be entertained. Shevchenko would also have to move up to 135lbs for the bout to happen.

While their records show Nunes has a 2-0 advantage over Shevchenko, 'Bullet's dominance since then and Nunes's vulnerability could quite conceivably make 'The Bullet' the favorite in a third fight between the pair.

While Saturday's result saw us take one step away from seeing this fight, it remains the biggest possible matchup in women's MMA.