Today, March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day. It’s a day to celebrate women’s achievements in life and in history and to lift those who have yet to make history. Thanks to the efforts of Cris Cyborg, Gina Carano, and Ronda Rousey, the woman’s divisions have been thriving across the board, with many female fighters to watch.
In celebration, MMA Sucka highlights five prospective female MMA fighters who are sure to send shockwaves within their respective promotions. The writer defines “prospects” as fighters with high promise of becoming champions within the next couple of years. With that said, here are those ladies fight fans should keep an eye on.
5 Up & Coming Female Fighters to Watch
Casey O’Neill (UFC)
With wins against the UFC Flyweight queen’s own sister Antonina Shevchenko, “King” Casey O’Neill has only one way to go—upwards. O’Neill shocked fight fans when the referee raised her hand for a split decision win against known firewall Roxanne Modafferi during the latter’s retirement bout.
Now, the Scotland native rides a whopping nine-fight win streak and has the championship belt in her sights.
Stamp Fairtex (ONE Championship)
This former two-sport champion has been making waves within the MMA division in ONE Championship, and Stamp is not one to miss. Recently beating the Indian phenom Ritu Phogat at the finals of the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix, Stamp Fairtex has been burning through the ONE Atomweight division.
The Thailand darling held the belts for the Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai divisions within the Asian promotion. Her dream of becoming a three-sport champion is within her grasp as she faces Angela Lee on March 26th.
Itsuki Hirata (ONE Championship)
One of the two favorites to win the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix, Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata was unfortunately cut from the competition due to a medical issue. But that doesn’t mean the Japanese fighter is any less a prospect than her fellow contender, Stamp.
Recently “Android 18” has posted quite a few videos of her training with JMMA legend and former ONE Lightweight champion Shinya Aoki—known for pulling outlandish submissions like a neck crank while on the back of a standing James Nakashima. If Hirata can emulate that within the ONE Circle, there’s definitely no stopping her.
Amanda Ribas (UFC)
The IMMAF’s first-ever Women’s Flyweight Champion has had an exciting run in the UFC since her debut in 2019, with her knockout loss against Marina Rodriguez stopping a 5-win streak. Amanda Ribas quickly bounced back nine months later, going on a 3-round bender against Virna Jandiroba and earning a unanimous decision win.
Although she’s got a little more to prove, Ribas is definitely another one to contend for the UFC Flyweight belt soon.
Jamey-Lyn Horth (LFA)
The recently crowned LFA Flyweight champion Jamey-Lyn Horth claimed her belt via a nasty rear-naked choke against Mayra Cantuária. This Canadian native has only finishes under her professional hat, and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change any time soon.
Horth currently boasts a clean 5-0 record, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her on the UFC stage, making waves within Valentina Shevchenko’s division very soon.
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