issue 218

June 2025

Fighters Only’s Paul Browne looks at the most important fights in the history of women’s MMA.

Kayla Harrison’s dominant title win over Julianna Peña at UFC 316 may have triggered the most anticipated showdown in the history of women’s MMA. In the immediate aftermath, Amanda Nunes revealed that she was coming out of retirement to face her. Harrison's ascent and Nunes' return arrive at a time when women’s MMA is more respected than ever before. But this wasn’t always the case. The sport has been built on fights that forced the world to pay attention. Some launched careers. Some ended them. All changed the game. Here are the bouts that shaped the landscape and paved the way for the Harrison vs. Nunes clash that the world now waits for.

GINA CARANO VS. CRIS CYBORG (STRIKEFORCE, 2009)

Held almost four years before women’s MMA was seen in the UFC, it marked the first time a women’s bout headlined a major MMA promotion. Carano, the then face of women’s MMA, brought mainstream appeal, while Cyborg represented raw power. What unfolded was a brutal clash of styles that ended with Cyborg winning via first-round TKO, claiming the inaugural Strikeforce women’s featherweight title. While Carano never fought again, the bout proved women could draw, deliver, and headline in a way that showed women’s MMA had truly arrived.

MIESHA TATE VS. RONDA ROUSEY (STRIKEFORCE, 2012)

Their first clash was a personal and fiery rivalry. Tate, the Strikeforce bantamweight champion, was the established talent, while Rousey, with just four pro fights, was the rising star whose confidence matched her ability. The build-up was intense, with Rousey’s brash trash talk creating animosity that captivated fans. Tate refused to tap to an early armbar attempt before finally succumbing to another in the first round. Rousey’s win earned her the title and solidified her as a star, eventually leading to the UFC opening its doors to female fighters.

RONDA ROUSEY VS. LIZ CARMOUCHE (UFC 157, 2013)

This was the first women’s fight in UFC history. Rousey carried the weight of the moment on her shoulders as the UFC's first female headliner. But Liz Carmouche was no stepping stone. In the opening moments, she nearly shocked the world by taking Rousey’s back and attempting a face crank that had fans holding their breath. Rousey survived, regrouped, and did what she always did: secured the armbar in the first round. Rousey’s win cemented her status, and the bout was the tipping point that legitimized women’s fighting on the biggest stage.

HOLLY HOLM vs. RONDA ROUSEY (UFC 193, 2015)

Heading into the fight, Rousey was an unbeaten superstar who had demolished everyone. Holm, a boxing champ with only two UFC fights, was just another challenger. But in front of a record-setting crowd in Melbourne, Holm executed a flawless game plan, using footwork, distance, and precision striking to dismantle Rousey. In the second round, a head kick dropped Rousey cold, instantly ending her reign and aura of invincibility. The result stunned the world and was one of the greatest upsets in MMA history.

MIESHA TATE vs. HOLLY HOLM (UFC 196, 2016)

Holm was the newly crowned champion, fresh off her shocking knockout of Ronda Rousey. Tate had fallen short in two title bids. For most of the fight, Holm controlled the pace with her striking, keeping Tate at bay. But Tate stayed composed and waited. In the final round, she took Holm’s back in a scramble and locked in a rear-naked choke that forced the tap. The victory gave Tate her long-awaited UFC title and added another twist to a division in flux. It was perhaps the most remarkable comeback win in women’s MMA history. 

AMANDA NUNES vs. RONDA ROUSEY (UFC 207, 2016)

Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey at UFC 207 marked a symbolic changing of the guard. It was Rousey's long-awaited return, and many wondered if the former champion could reclaim her dominance. But Nunes had no intention of letting that happen. She initially overwhelmed Rousey with blistering punches, exposing her striking defense and forcing a stoppage just 48 seconds into the first round. It was the end of Rousey’s MMA career and the beginning of Nunes’ reign as the most dominant female fighter in UFC history.

ROSE NAMAJUNAS vs. JOANNA JEDRZEJCZYK (UFC 217, 2017)

Jedrzejczyk, the undefeated strawweight champion, had ruled the division with confidence bordering on intimidation. Namajunas, soft-spoken but quietly fierce, entered as the underdog. In just over three minutes, she flipped the script. After dropping Jedrzejczyk with a crisp left hook, Namajunas swarmed and finished the fight with strikes, capturing the title and silencing doubters. Her emotional post-fight message, “Just be a good person,” resonated with fans and starkly contrasted with the pre-fight trash talk.

AMANDA NUNES vs. CRIS CYBORG (UFC 232, 2018)

Unbeaten for over 13 years, Cyborg was regarded as the sport’s most dominant female fighter. Nunes, already the bantamweight champ, moved up in weight to face her. What followed was a jaw-dropping display of speed and ferocity. Nunes stunned Cyborg early with a right hand and never let up, finishing her in just 51 seconds. It was one of the sport’s most explosive knockouts and instantly elevated Nunes to greatness. With the win, she became the first woman to hold titles in two UFC divisions simultaneously.

ZHANG WEILI vs. JOANNA JEDRZEJCZYK (UFC 248, 2020)

Zhang, making her first title defense, and former champ Jedrzejczyk delivered non-stop action, trading strikes in a razor-close contest that left both women battered. Jedrzejczyk’s grotesque hematoma became a symbol of the intensity, but it was Zhang who emerged victorious via split decision in a bout that could have gone either way. It proved female fighters could headline cards, steal the show, and deliver legacies.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

The history of women’s MMA is littered with battles that defined eras, shattered barriers, and elevated the sport to global prominence. Fortunately, the stage is now set for the next monumental chapter with Harrison and Nunes. Harrison’s rise has been meteoric, while Nunes’ return from retirement reignites the legacy of a fighter many consider the GOAT. The world cannot wait to watch these two icons prepare to write the next chapter in a story that’s still unfolding.