There have been some incredibly gritty and competitive fights in the UFC’s women’s division over the last decade.   Here we’ll be taking a look at what we think are the 5 best in the UFC’s history.

Since the women’s division began back in 2011, we’ve been treated to so many amazing bouts featuring some of the best athletes in mixed martial arts, regardless of gender.  Since then, the standards of women’s MMA have increased drastically, and these athletes are now equally respected as fighters as the male competitors.

Dana White has even changed his stance, as he once stated to TMZ in an interview that “women will never fight in the UFC”.  One of the women responsible for White changing his position on this matter was Ronda Rousey.  It was Rousey who paved the way for the amazing female champions we’ve seen since 2011, some of whom you’ll see in our list.

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Let’s kick off our list with the bout that started it all:

5) Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche (UFC 157)

This bout at UFC 157 was a critical moment in the history of mixed martial arts.  Ronda Rousey’s arrival at the UFC also marked a pivotal point in the growth of the UFC as an organization.  As the first female bout in the company’s history, it drew a lot of attention and a lot of discussion from new and old fans of UFC alike.

Both competitors were equally fierce as they were technically skilled. Carmouche seemed to be in control early on in the first round as she took Rousey’s back and sinched in a nasty neck crank before Rousey turned things around, submitting Carmouche with her unparalleled jiujitsu skills.  She won this bout as she did in her previous 5 bouts in Strikeforce; with an armbar.  Rousey was victorious in the first round before 5 minutes had even elapsed.

4) Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate (UFC 196) 

It seemed as if Miesha Tate would always be playing second fiddle to her rival Ronda Rousey.  She was the first competitor to make it past the first round against Rousey but, unfortunately for her, she found herself in Rousey’s signature armbar, resulting in her submission.

Holly Holm, on the other hand, managed to finish Ronda Rousey off in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.  This history lays the groundwork going into this awesome bout, as Holm was the clear favorite.

Holm appeared to dominate the majority of the fight, using her stellar footwork to maintain distance from her opponent.  Tate, however, was clearly more in control when it came to grappling.

As proceedings entered the fifth round, it was evident that Tate was losing on points, and she was well aware of this.

Then, with a mere 90 seconds remaining on the clock, Miesha found a sudden burst of energy.  She managed to capture Holm in a rear-naked choke to secure the victory in one of the most stunning comebacks in the sport’s history.

3) Amanda Nunez vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 (UFC 215) 

In their first bout, these women went 3 rounds before Nunez landed the victory.  Their second encounter, however, was different.  This time the pair went for 25 minutes in a fiercely competitive and close bout.

Before Nunez fought Shevchenko for the second time, Nunez had already defeated Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey, and she was really building up her resume and her reputation as one of the greatest female fighters.

Nunez began this bout by setting a relatively slow pace for the Brazillian.  This was to preserve her endurance, as her cardio had been a chink in her armour in past fights.  Nunez saved her characteristic agression for the later rounds.

Nunez managed to perform two takedowns against Shevchenko in the final round, and she ended up getting the win by split decision 47-48, 48-47 and 48-47.  It was a very close bout, but Nunez successfully defended her title for the second time.

2) Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 2 (UFC 223)

The first fight between these two competitors ended suddenly when Namajunas knocked her opponent out in the first round.  Jedrzejczyk, however, felt that her victor got lucky, and sought to enact her revenge the second time around.

This fight was a real strike fest and took place mainly on the two athletes feet before Namajunas finally scored a takedown with only 25 seconds to go in the fifth round.  This was the difference maker for her and she won by unanimous decision, successfully defending her title for the first time.

1) Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UFC 248) 

Joanna Jedrzejczyk makes it onto our list for the second time with her instant classic battle against Weili Zhang.

Both competitors displayed a valiant performance, but this was the bout that solidified Zhang as a true champion in the UFC.

After a close and ruthless bout, Zhang managed to secure her victory by unanimous decision.  Her power and aggression was on full display here, despite slowing down slightly and fatiguing towards the end of the fifth round.  Her sheer will and determination was her path to victory.