Top 5 UFC female fighters of all time

UFC made a landmark change when they finally added female performers to its roster in 2013. Since that time many women have fought in the promotion. This list looks at the five best:

#5 Miesha Tate (UFC record, 5-4)

Miesha Tate entered the UFC in 2013 after making a name for herself in Strikeforce wherein she had reigned as the promotion's Bantamweight Champion before losing that belt to Ronda Rousey.

Tate made her UFC debut on April 13, 2013 on the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 17 show, where she took on Cat Zingano. Tate won the first two rounds but was unexpectedly defeated by TKO in the third. Tate felt the stoppage was premature but regardless the entertaining back and forth action between both competitors resulted in them earning "Fight of the Night" honours.

Tate next challenged old rival, Rousey for the UFC Bantamweight title in a hard fought match. Tate would be the last woman for two years to take Rousey beyond the first round. Rousey dominated the match, but Tate skilfully escaped from numerous submission attempts by the champion before ultimately succumbing to an arm-bar in the third round.

Despite two good performances in the Octagon, Tate was still 0-2 in her UFC career. She bounced back in style though in her next two matches, defeating perennial contender, Liz Carmouche and Rin Nakai.

Tate continued her winning run against Sara McMann at UFC 183 and Jessica Eye at the UFC on Fox show, on July 25, 2015. That victory earned her an opportunity at Holly Holm's recently won Bantamweight Championship.

Holm who had defeated Rousey at UFC 193, engaged in an entertaining back and forth bout with the more experienced Tate. It was this experience that told in the final round when Tate submitted Holm with a rear naked choke to win the belt.

It was Tate's final hurrah in MMA. She lost the belt to Amanda Nunes in her first title defence before retiring after defeat in her final match against the unheralded Raquel Pennington.

#4 Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UFC record, 8-2)

Joanna Jedrzejczyk is victorious

Polish mixed martial artist, Joanna Jedrzejczyk entered the UFC unbeaten in her six match MMA career. She won her first UFC match versus Juliana Lima before winning a close split decision against Claudia Gadelha to earn a Strawweight title opportunity against the inaugural Champion, Carla Esparza. In the "performance of the night", the Pole took control of the Champion and won via TKO after Esparza had now answer for Jedrzejczyk's strikes.

From there, Jedrzejczyk had one of the most impressive title reigns in UFC history, successfully defending the title a staggering five times, earning "fight of the night"honors on numerous occasions. Her first UFC (and MMA) loss came to contender Rose Namajunas at UFC 217 when she was handily defeated by TKO in just three minutes.

Namajunas was the new Champion. Jedrzejczyk contested a rematch at UFC 223, where she put in a much-improved performance, taking the Champion to a decision. However, the result would still be the same as UFC 217. Namajunas remained Champion.

Jedrzejczyk returned to winning ways last week on July 28., 2018 earning a win over Tecia Torres putting her back into title contention.

#3 Ronda Rousey (UFC record, 6-2)

Ronda Rousey takes down Liz Carmouche at UFC 157

The star of Strikeforce was the first woman to ever sign a contract with UFC. The first ever women’s match under the UFC banner took place on the 23rd February 2013, at UFC 157, in which Rousey defeated Liz Carmouche by submission after impressively escaping a standing neck crank.

Rousey’s next Bantamweight title defense took place at UFC 168 in December 2013 against her long-time rival Miesha Tate. Rousey survived numerous submission attempts by Tate before submitting her with an armbar in the third round.

From there, Rousey decimated her competition in increasingly impressive fashion, crushing Sara McMahon in 66 seconds at UFC 170, Alexis Davis in 16 seconds at UFC 175, Cat Zingano in 14 seconds at UFC 184 and Bethe Correira in 34 seconds at UFC 190. With the exception of Zingano who she submitted by armbar, the other fighters were defeated by devastating knockouts.

Rousey was regarded as unbeatable and after twelve straight MMA victories, it certainly appeared that way. However all good things must come to an end and Rousey was shockingly defeated by former boxer, Holly Holm by knockout. Holm had an answer for Rousey’s offense and displayed superior striking skills. Rousey was distraught by her loss and took a year away from the sport.

Unfortunately for Rousey, her much anticipated comeback on December 30th, 2016 also ended in defeat, versus Amanda Nunes. Rousey’s UFC career was at an end.

#2 Cris Cyborg (UFC record, 5-0)

Cris Cyborg prepares to do battle at UFC 222

The 33 year old Brazilian first signed with the UFC in 2015 after making a name for herself in Invicta FC. Having lost her very first MMA match, Cyborg has remained unbeaten ever since.

After comfortably winning her first two UFC bouts against Leslie Smith and Lina Lansberg respectively, Cyborg challenged Tonya Evinger for the vacant Featherweight Championship at UFC 214. Cyborg won the title with knee strikes in the third round and hasn't looked back since.

Cyborg defeated perennial contender, Holly Holm in her first title defence at UFC 219, before repeating the feat against Yana Kuniskaya at UFC 222. Cyborg is the woman to beat in UFC today.

#1 Amanda Nunes (UFC record, 9-1)

Amanda Nunes takes the fight to Ronda Rousey at UFC 207

Much like Cris Cyborg, Amanda Nunes also lost her first MMA bout. Similarly to Cyborg, she also hasn't looked back since.

Making her UFC debut in 2013, Nunes defeated Sheila Gaff with brutal punches and elbows and followed that up with another devastating display of striking power, against Germaine de Randamie.

Nunes then suffered a setback versus Cat Zingano, as for once she was out-struck by an opponent.

Nunes however, soon put defeat behind her, racking up impressive victories over high calibre opposition in the form of Shayna Baszler, Sara McMann and Valentina Shevchenko.

That win streak earned her a shot at Miesha Tate's UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 200. Nunes in the "performance of the night" submitted Tate to become the new Champion.

At title, Nunes next defended against the returning, Ronda Rousey. Nunes sent Rousey packing into retirement with a devastating display of striking prowess as she defeated the former Champion in 48 seconds.

Nunes has continued her impressive four-year winning streak defending the title against Shevchenko and Raquel Pennington. The most impressive aspect about Nunes is that she is not finished yet. The greatest female performer in UFC history is on her way to building a legacy.