Women's MMA 2018 Top 100: #100 - #51

It's that time again. Awards, lists and yearly reviews are everywhere.

And so returns the annual women's MMA top 50, albeit with a major tweak.

Over the past four years, the annual records and performances of hundreds of fighters have been scrutinised to bring you a list of the top 50 female fighters in mixed martial arts. This year the process has become even more painstaking as the top 50 has become a top 100.

The criteria for ranking is simple. Only the fighters' 2018 records, level of opposition, and performances are taken into consideration. Fighters must have won at least one professional bout in 2018, and have a .500 or better record for the year to make the list.

So without further ado, here are places 100 through 51

100) Yajaira Romo (5-3)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Irene Cabello (Combate 26)

Two wins for the Mexican atomweight inside Combate's "La Jaula" represented a major career turnaround in 2018. Romo had lost three straight when the year began.

99) Vanessa Melo (7-5)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Daiane Firmino (SFT 6)

Decision victories over Nubia Nascimento and Daiane Firmino provided a solid return for a fighter who has now won four of her past five bouts. With the win over Firmino, Melo bagged the vacant SFT flyweight title.

98) Yuri Shim (5-2)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: So Hee Lim (Road FC 50)

The 24-year-old atomweight became a contender under ROAD FC's promotional banner in 2018. Three wins in total, two inside the ROAD FC cage, turned Shim into a contender for Seo Hee Ham's atomweight title.

97) Alyssa Garcia (5-5)

2018 Record: 2-1

Most notable 2018 win: Satomi Takano (DEEP 85 Impact)

A decision loss to best-in-the-world Ayaka Hamasaki in May came with no shame attached. Garcia rebounded quickly with back to back finishes against Miao Ding and Satomi Takano.

96) Tracy Cortez (4-1)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Monica Medina (V3 Fights 69)

Three wins from three pro fights -- two inside the distance -- made it a perfect sophomore year for the promising flyweight.

95) Veta Arteaga (5-2)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Emily Ducote (Bellator 202)

Former Bellator title challenger Emily Ducote and Bellator kickboxing champion Denise Kielholtz were on Veta Arteaga's hitlist in 2018. Both were dispatched impressively as the improving flyweight climbed the Bellator ranks.

94) Luana Pinheiro (5-1)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Elaine Leal (Brave CF 11)

First round submission after first round submission after first round submission, Brazilian strawweight Luana Pinheiro is doing what prospects are supposed to on the regional circuits; putting competition away emphatically.

93) Hannah Cifers (8-3)

2018 Record: 2-1

Most notable 2018 win: Kali Robbins (Next Level Fight Club 9)

Hannah Cifers defeated solid talent in 2018 en route to the UFC. Celine Haga and Kali Robbins were both stopped in the first round before Cifers came up short in her UFC debut against Maycee Barber in November. The 26-year-old will look to secure her first UFC win against Polyana Viana at UFC 235.

92) Istela Nunes (7-1)

2018 Record: 1-0

Previous Rankings: #28 in 2016

Most notable 2018 win: Gina Iniong (ONE Championship: Battle for the Heavens)

Brazilian import Istela Nunes has slowly carved out a spot as one of ONE Championship's top female talents. A win over Gina Iniong in July maintained the 26-year-old's status as a force in Asian MMA.

91) Arlene Blencowe (11-7)

2018 Record: 1-0

Previous Rankings: #37 in 2015

Most notable 2018 win: Amber Leibrock (Bellator 206)

Australian powerhouse Arlene Blencowe remains one of the featherweight division's low-key talents. Blencowe defeated Bellator prospect Amber Leibrock in September to improve her recent record to 5-2 since 2015. Both of those defeats were competitive losses to reigning Bellator champion Julia Budd.

90) Erin Blanchfield (3-0)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Kay Hansen (Invicta FC 32)

At only 19 years of age, with two Invicta FC wins under her belt, Erin Blanchfield is well ahead of schedule in her rise to the top. Defeating Kay Hansen in November was most impressive.

89) Suvi Salmimies (10-5-1)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Vladlena Yavorskaya (Cage 44)

In a bantamweight division in desperate need of new talent, five-year-pro Suvi Salmimies won all three of her contests inside the distance in 2018. The UFC would do well to add Salmimies to one of their European shows in 2019.

88) Yana Kunitskaya (11-4)

2018 Record: 1-1

Previous Rankings: #45 in 2017

Most notable 2018 win: Lina Lansberg (UFC 229)

The former Invicta FC champion came up well short in her UFC featherweight title fight against Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino, but was able to secure her first UFC victory against Lina Lansberg in October.

87) Hikaru Aono (3-1)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Mike Arai (DEEP Jewels 21)

Japanese atomweight prospect Hikaru Aono emerged as one to watch in 2018, with three DEEP Jewels wins. The third of those saw Aono hand Mika Arai the first loss of her five-fight professional career.

86) MIZUKI (13-5)

2018 Record: 1-1

Previous Rankings: #25 in 2016

Most notable 2018 win: Viviane Pereira (Invicta FC 32)

UFC-ready talent MIZUKI was unable to win Invicta FC gold in March, despite a baffling scorecard from judge Rochelle Montanez scoring 49-46 in her favour. The 24-year-old rebounded impressively with a unanimous decision win over Viviane Pereira at Invicta FC 32.

85) Sarah Alpar (8-4)

2018 Record: 1-0

Most notable 2018 win: Joselyne Edwards (LFA 55)

Alpar won the vacant LFA bantamweight title against Joselyne Edwards in her sole outing of 2018. Edwards had won seven-straight going into the fight and served as an impressive scalp for the new LFA champ.

84) Sarah Frota (9-0)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Maiara Amanajas (Dana White's Contender Series)

After racking up eight wins in two years on the regional Brazilian scene, Sarah Frota earned her spot on the UFC roster the new way, defeating Maiara Amanajas on Dana White's Contender Series. A mouthwatering UFC debut in Brazil against Livia Renata Souza awaits.

83) 'Jessy Jess' Jessica Rose Clark (9-5)

2018 Record: 1-1

Previous Rankings: #43 in 2017

Most notable 2018 win: Paige VanZant (UFC Fight Night 124)

A real mixed bag for Australia's pink iron woman in 2018. The biggest win of Jess' pro career against Paige VanZant was followed by a disappointing defeat to Jessica Eye in June. A December fight with fellow Invicta FC vet Andrea Lee was nixed due to problems with Jess' weight cut. The fighter will return to the bantamweight division in 2019.

82) Brianna Van Buren (5-2)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Jamie Moyle (Invicta FC 33)

What a difference three years makes. Brianna Van Buren returned to the cage for the first time since 2015 looking like a much improved fighter. Wins over Angela Samaro and UFC veteran Jamie Moyle were achieved in style.

81) Liana Jojua (7-2)

2018 Record: 1-0

Most notable 2018 win: Marina Mokhnatkina (Fight Nights Global 83)

Marina Mokhnatkina had been groomed for stardom by Fight Nights Global, amassing a perfect 4-0 record in her young MMA career. Georgian bantamweight Liana Jojua spoiled the party when she defeated Mokhnatkina to win the FNG bantamweight title in February.

80) Kanako Murata (8-1)

2018 Record: 2-0

Previous Rankings: #42 in 2016

Most notable 2018 win: Lanchana Green (RIZIN 10)

Two RIZIN wins over well known, rather than elite talent earned Kanako Murata her spot in the 2018 rankings. Disappointingly a fun December bout with Sharon Jacobson fell through due to injury.

79) Mallory Martin (4-2)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Ashley Nichols (Invicta FC 31)

Colorado prospect Mallory Martin stepped into the cage three times in 2018 and looked fantastic every time she did so. Tiffany Masters, Linsey Williams and Ashley Nichols all came up short against the 24-year-old

78) Lisa Spangler (3-0)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Shanna Young (Invicta FC 31)

From professional debutante to a 3-0 record in four 2018 months. Not bad going for a fighter who handed Sarah Klaczka and Shanna Young their first pro defeats inside the Invicta cage

77) Kate Jackson (10-3-1)

2018 Record: 1-0

Previous Rankings: #45 in 2015

Most notable 2018 win: Anastasia Yankova (Bellator 200)

Anastasia Yankova was a faux-flyweight promoted by Bellator for her looks, and allowed to fight at 130lbs because she struggled to make the flyweight limit. Kate Jackson is a talented, real flyweight who was able to comfortably derail Yankova's hype train at Bellator 200.

76) Poliana Botelho (7-2)

2018 Record: 1-1

Previous Rankings: #29 in 2015,

Most notable 2018 win: Syuri Kondo (UFC Fight Night 129)

Botelho earned her second UFC win in 2018, taking only 33 seconds to defeat Syuri Kondo at UFC Santiago. A November submission defeat to Cynthia Calvillo lowered the Brazilian's perceived ceiling.

75) Kristina Williams (3-1)

2018 Record: 2-1

Most notable 2018 win: Emily Ducote (Bellator 195)

The "Warhorse" became a major player in Bellator's flyweight division in 2018. Wins over Emily Ducote and Bruna Ellen sandwiched a defeat to Valerie Letourneau. That narrow loss kept Williams away from a title shot, but at only 3-1 as a pro, the 29-year-old is well ahead of schedule facing top competition.

74) Valerie Letourneau (10-7)

2018 Record: 1-1

Previous Rankings: #15 in 2015

Most notable 2018 win: Kristina Williams (Bellator 201)

Finding a home in Bellator's flyweight division, Canadian UFC vet Valerie Letourneau was fast tracked to a title shot in 2018. Letourneau defeated impressive prospect Kristina Williams to get there, but failed in her attempt to snatch Bellator gold from around the waist of world class flyweight Ilima-Lei Macfarlane.

73) Sabina Mazo (6-0)

2018 Record: 2-0

Previous Rankings: #26 in 2015

Most notable 2018 win: Carol Yariwaki (LFA 54)

Having made the list as far back as 2015, Colombian flyweight Sabina Mazo has been on the "one-to-watch" list for some time. Progress has been a slow burn, but another two wins in 2018 earned Mazo a spot on the UFC roster.

72) Priscilla Gaol (5-3)

2018 Record: 5-1

Most notable 2018 win: Jomary Torres (ONE Championship: Conquest of Heroes)

Five wins in a calendar year is impressive no matter the level of competition. Priscilla Gaol was 0-2 when the year began, but improved her resume considerably inside the ONE Championship cage. A September win over previously undefeated Jomary Torres was the high point.

71) Ayaka Miura (7-2)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Ye Dam Seo (Pancrase 293)

Ye Dam Seo, Cris Macfer and Tarciara Santos provided the opposition for Ayaka Miura in 2018. All three were defeated, as the talented strawweight put a run together inside the Pancrase cage.

70) Julia Borisova (5-4)

2018 Record: 1-0

Most notable 2018 win: Liliya Shakirova (Fight Nights Global 85)

In 2018 the Fight Nights Global cage became a tough proving ground for emerging female talent. At flyweight, Julia Borisova defeated top shelf prospect Liliya Shakirova, before injury ruled her out of an October bout with Mariya Agapova.

69) Viviane Araujo (6-1)

2018 Record: 1-0

Most notable 2018 win: Emi Fujino (Pancrase 298)

We only saw Viviane Araujo fight once in 2018, sadly, but the Brazilian's sole victory was the biggest of her young career. In August Araujo defeated veteran strawweight Emi Fujino to become Pancrase champion.

68) Andrea "KGB" Lee (9-2)

2018 Record: 1-0

Previous Rankings: #27 in 2015, #24 in 2017

Most notable 2018 win: Veronica Macedo (UFC Fight Night 129)

Finally creative flyweight Andrea "KGB" Lee made her UFC debut in 2018, defeating Veronica Macedo. Unfortunately a year-end clash with Jessy Jess fell through due to complications with Jess' weight cut.

67) Karolina Wojcik (4-1)

2018 Record: 4-1

Most notable 2018 win: Chiara Penco (EFC Worldwide 76)

Another fighter on the list who made their professional debut in 2018, Polish strawweight Karolina Wojcik quickly amassed an impressive 4-1 record. The year ended with an EFC title victory against Chiara Penco in Pretoria, South Africa.

66) Amanda Lino (4-1)

2018 Record: 1-0

Most notable 2018 win: Rizlen Zouak (EFC Worldwide 70)

Despite holding only a 4-1 professional record, Amanda "Mad Dog" Lino has quickly become one of South Afican MMA's top stars. A thrilling victory over Rizlen Zouak in May made Lino a two-weight EFC champion.

65) Jihin Radzuan (4-0)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Priscilla Gaol (ONE Championship: Pursuit of Power)

It was a breakthrough year for the Malaysian strawweight, who defeated Priscilla Gaol and former ONE title challenger Jenny Huang in 2018. Next up is Gina Iniong in February.

64) Melissa Gatto (6-0-2)

2018 Record: 3-0-1

Most notable 2018 win: Karolline Rosa (Nacao Cyborg 3)

Melissa Gatto made it three wins and a draw for her second successive year as a pro. A submission win over Karolline Rosa in September meant Gatto's last four victories had all been by first round submission.

63) Ariane Lipski (11-3)

2018 Record: 1-0

Previous Rankings: #27 in 2016, #20 in 2017

Most notable 2018 win: Silvana Gomez Juarez (KSW 42)

In 2018 "the Violence Queen" only fought once, but did secure a mouthwatering move from KSW to the UFC. Joanna Calderwood has been lined up as the unfortunate victim when Lipski steps into the octagon for the first time in January.

62) Stephanie Geltmacher (4-0)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Liz Tracy (Invicta FC 32)

A pair of Invicta wins, including a particularly impressive performance against Liz Tracy in November, improved Stephanie Geltmacher's record to 4-0 and put the rest of Invicta's flyweight division on notice.

61) Lara Procopio (6-0)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Sidy Rocha (Shooto Brasil 87)

At only 23-years-old Brazilian flyweight Lara Procopio is already well on her way to outgrowing the regional Brazilian circuit. Mariana Morais and Sidy Rocha were both defeated in 2018 as Procopio made it six wins from six career outings.

60) Kaitlin Young (9-9-1)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Reina Miura (RIZIN 12)

Never did I expect to be including Kaitlin Young in an annual top 100 for 2018. The former Hook 'n' Shoot tournament winner had not won in an MMA cage since 2012 when the year began. Wins inside RIZIN's ring and the Invicta cage suggested the 33-year-old still has plenty to offer inside as well as outside the cage.

59) Angela Hill (8-5)

2018 Record: 1-1

Previous Rankings: #3 in 2016

Most notable 2018 win: Maryna Moroz (UFC on FOX 28)

The former Invicta FC champion began her year impressively, defeating Maryna Moroz in February. Hill's progress was stunted when she was on the wrong end of a bad decision against Cortney Casey in August.

58) Ariane Cristina (11-1)

2018 Record: 3-0

Most notable 2018 win: Joice Mara (Thunder Fight 17)

Brazilian strawweight prospect Ariane Cristina picked up three wins in 2018, bagging the Batalha MMA title, and winning the Thunder Fight strawweight tournament along the way.

57) Ji Yeon Kim (8-2-2)

2018 Record: 2-1

Most notable 2018 win: Melinda Fabian (UFC Fight Night 132)

After a split decision win over hapless swinger Justine Kish in January, the Korean flyweight defeated Melinda Fabian in June. The 29-year-old was unable to round out 2018 with a win, losing by decision to Antonina Shevchenko at the TUF 28 Finale.

56) Kseniya Guseva (4-0-1)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Emiko Raika (Pancrase 297)

Guseva is another top Russian prospect on the rise. The flyweight beat Japanese boxing great Emiko Raika in July. Another step up in competition could be necessary towards the end of 2019.

55) Roxanne Modafferi (22-15)

2018 Record: 1-1

Most notable 2018 win: Barb Honchak (The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale)

The "Happy Warrior" first fought Barb Honchak in 2011. Modafferi was submitted in the third round back then, as Honchak went on to become the number one flyweight in the world for a brief period of time. Seven years later Modafferi was able to avenge that loss inside the UFC's octagon.

54) Mayra Bueno Silva (6-0)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Gillian Robertson (UFC Fight Night 137)

With a resume that already boasted wins over Marilia Santos and Daiane Firmino, "Sheetara" burst onto the UFC scene with two submission wins in 2018 -- one taking place on Dana White's Contender Series.

53) Jinh Yu Frey (8-3)

2018 Record: 2-0

Most notable 2018 win: Minna Grusander (Invicta FC 33)

Having failed in her previous Invicta title bid, Jinh Yu Frey claimed the vacant Invicta atomweight title against Minna Grusander in July. In truth, it was a fight she didn't deserve to win despite the judges giving her the nod. In December Frey beat the same opponent, this time more convincingly, to retain the championship.

52) Kanna Asakura (13-3)

2018 Record: 2-1

Most notable 2018 win: Rena Kubota (RIZIN 11)

Top atomweight Kanna Asakura continued to impress inside the RIZIN ring in 2018. Melissa Karagianis and Rena Kubota -- for a second time -- were both defeated, before Asakura was submitted by pound-for-pound great Ayaka Hamasaki in December.

51) Julia Budd (12-2)

2018 Record: 1-0

Previous Rankings:

Most notable 2018 win: Talita Nogueira (Bellator 202)

In July Julia Budd completely outclassed Talita Nogueira to make the second defence of her Bellator featherweight title. In a division that cannot afford to be fractured and spread out across a number of promotions, Budd facing a top three opponent any time soon remains fantasy.

With the run down from 100 to 51 complete, be sure to keep an eye on this blog for part two, where I break into the top 50 and go all the way to the top 15.