Issue 153

April 2017

The perfect fit for the UFC’s newest weight class.

You’re looking at the future of women’s featherweight. Just before the UFC brought in two bantamweights to compete for its first-ever title in the division, a true 145lb powerhouse was claiming gold in Invicta.

Megan Anderson truly belongs in this class. She’s six feet tall and has to cut 25lb to make weight. But the Invicta interim champion is also much more than just the right size. She’s highly marketable and three stoppage wins in 2016 with knees, kicks and punches show she’s a fearsome striker.

The Aussie – now based at Glory MMA in Missouri – says it’s something else that puts her on a different level to her peers. “It’s my mental toughness. I get hit; I keep walking forward,”

She says. “I just have that mentality that I don’t stop; I don’t get tired. I don’t think about if I’m hurting. I’m here to do a job and I’ll do everything I can to get that job done.”

Whether that will be enough to beat Cris ‘Cyborg’ and climb to the summit of her weight class, even Anderson is not sure of yet.

And though she called out Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie, she’s not certain whether she’ll defend her new belt next or fight for one in the Octagon.

She adds: “I’m happy to stay in Invicta if that’s what has to happen, but I would love the opportunity to go up to the UFC, test my skills at the top level and get the exposure and recognition that a lot of us featherweights should have had a long time ago.”

3 MORE KEEP AN EYE ON

BRANDON JENKINS - USA

One of the standout performers from the first shows from the Legacy Fighting Alliance shows showed great composure and superb technique to finish a war against Billy Christianson. We’re itching to see if he can continue to impress in his next fight.

JON NEAL - USA

It’s a tough ask to get into the UFC’s 145lb division, but if there’s an opening, Sean Shelby could do a lot worse than the SteelFist Fight Night champion.

A recent import from lightweight, he’s 9-0 with some wins over solid opposition, finishing all but one of them.

BLAINE O'DRISCOLL - IRE

A wealth of amateur experience prepared this SBG product for the pro ranks and he’s done well in front of big crowds for BAMMA.

The loss on his record shouldn’t stop you from keeping an eye on his fights. He’s on track for stardom.