The Greatest Female Fights in UFC History: Legendary Battles Every Fan Remembers
The rise of women’s MMA in the UFC changed the landscape of combat sports forever. What once was met with skepticism is now one of the most exciting, talked-about parts of the entire fight game. Through heartbreak and triumph, controversy and jubilation, female fighters have delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in UFC history.
Here are the most iconic female fights that defined women’s MMA:
1. Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano — UFC 184 (2015)
This fight wasn’t just a title defense — it was a statement.
Ronda Rousey came into UFC 184 as the undisputed champion, undefeated and dominant. Cat Zingano was hungry, confident, and unafraid. The build-up was intense, emotional, and full of tension — and when the cage door closed, it did not disappoint.
But instead of a long, drawn-out battle, Rousey made history again — she finished Zingano in just 14 seconds with a devastating armbar, creating one of the fastest title fight finishes in UFC history.
This fight showed Rousey’s ferocity and put everyone on notice: she was unstoppable.
📌 Why it matters:
Shockingly fast finish
One of Rousey’s most talked-about performances
Fueled female MMA interest globally
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2. Holly Holm vs. Ronda Rousey — UFC 193 (2015)
This fight sent shockwaves throughout the MMA world.
Ronda Rousey was a household name — undefeated, dominant, and feared. Then came Holly Holm, the boxer-turned-MMA star who had never been finished in her career.
What happened next was stunning.
Holm caught Rousey with a beautiful head kick in the second round and knocked her out cold. It was one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history — men and women alike couldn’t believe it.
📌 Why it matters:
Ended Rousey’s undefeated streak
Changed the women’s MMA narrative
Proved that anything can happen in the cage
3. Amanda Nunes vs. Cris Cyborg — UFC 232 (2018)
This was a true clash of champions.
Amanda Nunes had already earned respect in the bantamweight division, but Cris Cyborg was seen as the most dominant featherweight — a fighter who had steamrolled almost everyone in her path.
The fight was brutal and powerful. Nunes didn’t just win… she finished Cyborg by TKO in the first round. It was a definitive moment that made many consider Nunes the greatest female fighter ever.
📌 Why it matters:
End of Cyborg’s aura of invincibility
Rise of Amanda Nunes as a GOAT contender
High-impact, unforgettable finish
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4. Joanna Jędrzejczyk vs. Zhang Weili — UFC 248 (2020)
This battle will likely go down as one of the greatest stand-up wars in MMA history.
Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Zhang Weili brought relentless pace, heavy striking, and non-stop action for five rounds. The crowd was on its feet for almost the entire fight, and the moment became a classic display of heart and skill.
Both women battered each other, pushed through pain, and showcased elite technique. By the end, fans knew they had witnessed something historic.
📌 Why it matters:
One of the most exciting striking battles ever
High volume, back-and-forth action
A fight that redefined women’s strawweight competition
5. Holly Holm vs. Germaine de Randamie — UFC 208 (2017)
This fight was controversial — but unforgettable.
Germaine de Randamie and Holly Holm fought for the inaugural UFC women’s featherweight title. The matchup was action-packed, but the ending raised eyebrows: Randamie blocked a kick with her arm, and the referee did not penalize her.
Randamie won by decision, but fans debated the finish for years. It became one of those fights that defines not just action, but MMA conversation culture.
📌 Why it matters:
Attention-getting controversy
First women’s featherweight title fight
Sparked rule and officiating discussion
6. Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili 2 — UFC 261 (2021)
These two had already faced each other, but their rematch was something special.
Zhang Weili came in as a brutal champion, and Rose Namajunas entered with steely determination. The fight was explosive from the start, and Namajunas knocked out Zhang with a head kick early in the first round.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement about resilience, evolution, and peak skill.
📌 Why it matters:
A dominant knockout in a rematch
Showed Namajunas’ brilliance
One of the biggest upsets of the year
7. Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk — UFC 275 (2022)
Defending her title against one of the best strikers in the division, Valentina Shevchenko delivered a tactical masterpiece.
The fight was a chess match of skill, feints, counters, and sharp technique. Shevchenko went on to defend her belt in commanding fashion, proving she was among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
📌 Why it matters:
Strategic excellence
Validation of Shevchenko’s legacy
High-level championship fight
What Makes These Fights Legendary?
What these battles share isn’t just:
Knockouts
Controversy
Titles
It’s something deeper:
They changed expectations for women’s combat sports.
They proved women can deliver intensity, drama, skill, and historical impact just like the men.
These fights didn’t just win fans — they created them.
The Legacy of Women’s MMA in the UFC
Before Ronda Rousey, people questioned whether women belonged in MMA’s highest level.
Now, fewer fans care about gender — they care about spectacle, strategy, courage, and heart.
The women listed above helped:
✔ Elevate competition
✔ Build respect for women’s divisions
✔ Inspire new fighters globally
✔ Push the sport forward
Final Thought
These fights are not just matchups —
They are milestones in the evolution of the sport.
Whether it’s a shocking knockout, a controversial decision, or a war of attrition, these battles gave the world unforgettable moments.
And the best part?
Women’s MMA is still growing.
So if you think the greatest fights are behind us…
Think again.
