5 most powerful female UFC fighters
Whether it's in the UFC or any other MMA promotion, knockouts draw more interest than anything else. While the appreciation for slick submissions and domineering grappling has increased in recent years due to MMA fans growing more educated about the sport, nothing will ever dethrone knockouts.
For this reason, knockout artists tend to be the most popular athletes in mixed martial arts. Part of the initial success that launched Conor McGregor into the realm of superstardom was all of his knockouts against various opponents in the UFC. The narrative about no one being able to survive his left hand was strong.
WMMA, however, doesn't have as many knockout artists. Thus, very few women are known for having fight-ending power. But that isn't to say that there are no WMMA knockout artists. So in the spirit of this discussion, here are the most powerful women in UFC history.
#5. Amanda Lemos, UFC strawweight
One of Brazil's many exports into MMA, Amanda Lemos is one of the UFC women's strawweight division's resident power-punchers. In a career of 13 wins, she secured eight of them via knockout. Not only is she naturally powerful, but she also benefits from the technical nuances of her striking style.
UFC on ESPN 26 video: Amanda Lemos blitzes Montserrat Conejo for 35-second KO
#UFCvegas19 #UFC259 #UFC260 #UFCFightnight #MMA #UFC https://t.co/I6Pnf0Wzom
She always maintains an optimal distance to have maximum leverage in her punches. Furthermore, she often intercepts her opponents just as they step forward to close the distance on her. While these traits enhance her ability to knock her foes unconscious, it all comes down to natural punching power.
Even fellow power-puncher Jéssica Andrade experienced some trouble against her in the striking department. Due to Andrade's iron chin, it was surprising to see her get rattled by her foe's punches. That, however, is a testament to how powerful Lemos is.
#4. Jéssica Andrade, UFC strawweight
Former UFC strawweight queen Jéssica Andrade is a bulldozer inside the octagon. She marches forward without fear of anything due to her absurd combination of physical traits. She is nearly tireless, so she can afford to use high-octane offense to overwhelm her opponents. Additionally, Andrade is brutally strong.
WOW! WOW! WOW! 😱
Jessica Andrade with the SLAM KO OUT OF OF NOWHERE!
You won't see a crazier finish in a title fight!
#AndNew #UFC237 https://t.co/WuTl1OcTQq
The high-crotch single-leg slam is one of the staples of her fighting style. She even used it to knock out Rose Namajunas to capture the divisional crown. 'Bate Estaca' is also supernaturally tough, rendering her able to shrug off most of her opponent's punches. More than anything, however, she is extremely powerful.
While she hasn't scored as many knockouts as she probably could have, that is due to how reckless she is inside the octagon as well as her complete lack of a jab. But her punching power is always obvious as her blows have an immediate effect against nearly everyone she fights, with very few foes surviving unscathed.
#3. Zhang Weili, UFC strawweight champion
Zhang Weili is the promotion's strawweight champion and she seems to be improving at an alarming rate. In her most recent title-winning performance against Carla Esparza, she displayed an evolved grappling skill-set that allowed her to counter her foe's wrestling while securing a rear-naked choke from the crucifix.
3 years ago today, Zhang Weili became the strawweight champion by finishing Jessica Andrade
https://t.co/6GYFr2uaB9
While potential opponents will now worry about 'Magnum's' grappling skills, her striking is what elevated her. She is extremely explosive and very powerful. Even Joanna Jędrzejczyk, who is known for her iron chin and shrugged off Jéssica Andrade's dynamite strikes, could not withstand Zhang Weili’s onslaught.
The Polish phenom suffered just the second knockout loss of her career against 'Magnum', prompting her to announce her retirement. Years prior, China's first-ever UFC champion captured her first title against Andrade, cracking the Brazilian's granite chin within 42 seconds of the first round.
#2. Cris Cyborg, former UFC women's featherweight
For the longest time, Cris Cyborg was the boogeywoman of women's MMA. During her peak years, she was a widely feared force with seismic power in her punches. Her physicality and Muay Thai skills made her a dangerous opponent for anyone who couldn't drag her to the mat for a grappling affair.
Cris Cyborg def. Tonya Evinger via 3rd round TKO to become the UFC women's featherweight champion #UFC214 https://t.co/IrT8jV8cPN
Standing with her was considered suicidal. In 26 fights, she has scored 20 knockouts. For years, she longed to prove her mettle under Dana White's banner. But the absence of a women's featherweight division in the promotion made it difficult for her to capitalize on her then feud with Ronda Rousey.
However, upon the UFC's decision to create a 145 lbs weight class for women, Cyborg immediately made the switch, earning four knockouts in her first five fights in the promotion. Unfortunately, her fearsome march was stopped by the one woman who now sits enthroned as WMMA's most powerful-ever fighter.
#1. Amanda Nunes, UFC women's bantamweight/featherweight champion
Amanda Nunes is a force of nature. While she didn't initially start out as the unstoppable juggernaut that fans are now familiar with, she eventually hit her stride to embark on the greatest run in WMMA history. A big part of her success is the nuclear power she has in every limb.
Amanda Nunes fight week.
Here’s her destruction of Cris Cyborg🔥 https://t.co/BT2lowjJe5
All-time greats like Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg failed to survive more than a minute with her inside the octagon. Holly Holm lasted four minutes before being flatlined by a head kick. Almost everyone 'The Lioness' faces is in awe of her knockout power as if they can't believe that someone hit that hard.
It's similar to the reaction that many fighters have when they face former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Amanda Nunes' opponents freeze and simply don't know what else to do. Megan Anderson was badly rocked by just the second punch 'The Lioness' landed in their bout.