5 of MMA’s best female fighters: how Paige VanZant, Amanda Nunes, Michelle Waterson and Rose Namajunas fought their way to the top
Amanda Nunes, Paige VanZant, Michelle Waterson, Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jędrzejczyk are a dangerous mixture of beauty and brawn, and provide great examples of athleticism, charisma and talent for young girls to look up to
These four female MMA fighters are a dangerous mixture of beauty and brawn. They provide great examples of athleticism, charisma and talent – while showing the kind of confidence and female empowerment that young girls can look up to. Here is a brief look at their careers.
1. Amanda Nunes
The first openly gay fighter to win a UFC title is known as “The Lioness” because of her ferocious fighting style. The Brazilian has 18 wins in 22 fights, 13 by knockout, since her debut in 2011. She is the first female fighter in UFC history to win two titles, bantamweight and featherweight, which she held simultaneously. In December 2018, she ended Cris Cyborg’s reign as featherweight champion in just 51 seconds in a whirlwind performance that rocked the MMA world. Cyborg’s unbeaten run had gone back 20 fights and 11 years. Nunes also single-handedly ended Ronda Rousey’s career in 2016, knocking her out in 48 seconds. She is an example of what it takes to succeed in MMA.
2. Paige VanZant
The 25-year-old American’s nickname, “12 Gauge,” is testament to her long-time love of hunting and shooting. She was a tomboy from an early age and has an athletic background, leading to success in the ring. VanZant is a champion of female empowerment – she went from being bullied in school to the point where she legally changed her last name, to winning 8 of her 12 fights, two by knockout. She has a range of interests. Outside MMA, she has appeared on Chopped and Dancing with the Stars. She’s also modelled for Nike and Columbia Sportswear. Who says you can’t have it all?
3. Michelle Waterson
Also known as the “Karate Hottie”, the 33-year-old American has a black belt in American freestyle karate and she has trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Wushu, boxing, wrestling and Muay Thai. Waterson began as a ring girl but wanted to become a fighter, and she made her debut in 2007. Since then, she’s won 17 of her 24 fights. She’s also appeared in the movies MacGruber (2010), The Signal (2014), and Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), so if you missed her fights, you can still catch her on-screen!