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ESPN's MMA divisional rankings: Women's strawweight

Rose Namajunas defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk by KO in the first round at UFC 217. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Who is the world's best women's strawweight fighter? My latest top 10 ranking is listed below, with UFC champion Rose Namajunas at No. 1.

Who is the best fighter regardless of weight class? See ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings. Plus, check out our women's pound-for-pound rankings.

Note: Results through April 11, 2018.

= champion


Rose Namajunas

1. Rose Namajunas
Record: 8-3
Next: TBD

There's a new queen in town. Anyone who thought Namajunas' first victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk was a fluke was proven quite wrong at UFC 223. Namajunas seems to have Jedrzejczyk's number, and she's left no doubt who the real champion is. Bring on the contenders.


Joanna Jedrzejczyk

2. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Record: 14-2
Next: TBD

Jedrzejczyk spent years sending title challengers to the back of the line, and now she finds herself in that position. Her track record will have her back in title contention in no time, but with two losses to the current champ Rose Namajunas, she may want to consider a move up in weight.


Jessica Andrade

3. Jessica Andrade
Record: 17-6
Next: UFC Fight Night on Feb. 24, vs. Tecia Torres

After a stellar three-round showing over two-time UFC title challenger Claudia Gadelha, Andrade has asserted herself as the clear No. 2 in this division. She just fought Jedrzejczyk in May, but there will be calls for a rematch if she continues to look good.


Claudia Gadelha

4. Claudia Gadelha
Record: 15-3
Next: TBD

Plenty of time for Gadelha to make improvements and win a UFC championship, but a three-round loss to Jessica Andrade in September has dropped her stock for now. She'll be looking to bounce back in her next fight.


5. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
Record: 12-2
Next: TBD

Kowalkiewicz is right in the thick of title contention, with back-to-back wins. She can also say she's defeated the current champion, Rose Namajunas, back in 2016. She's been exposed in certain areas in her two losses, but if she's filled in those holes, there's no reason to think Kowalkiewicz can't hold UFC gold at some point.


Tecia Torres

6. Tecia Torres
Record: 10-1
Next: UFC Fight Night on Feb. 24, vs. Jessica Andrade

Torres looked good in a decision win over Michelle Waterson at UFC 218. She's still just a slight tick beneath the very top women of this division, but that could change if she gets her chance to face one of them -- which she should.


Carla Esparza

7. Carla Esparza
Record: 12-4
Next: UFC 219 on Dec. 30, vs. Cynthia Calvillo

Esparza picked up a key win against the talented Maryna Moroz at UFC Fight Night in June. She hasn't set the world on fire since surrendering her UFC title back in 2015, but she is a solid 2-1. A few more wins would have her in title contention.


Herrig

8. Felice Herrig
Record: 15-7
Next: TBD

Herrig's still a top-ranked strawweight, despite a loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 223 in April. Prior to that loss, she hadn't lost since 2015. Herrig isn't anybody's favorite to make a title run, but she's capable of making moves if all the cards fall right.


Cynthia Calvillo

9. Cynthia Calvillo
Record: (6-1)
Next: TBD

Calvillo suffered the first loss of her career to Carla Esparza in December, but there was nothing in that fight that suggested she's out of her league at the top of this division. You never want to suffer a loss, but this one doesn't put Calvillo back too much.


Suarez

10. Tatiana Suarez
Record: 5-0
Next: TBD

Suarez doesn't have as many fights as many other women ranked below her, but she's been dominant in her two UFC appearances and poses a lot of challenges to any potential opponent -- including a big frame for this weight class.