Are you ready to revisit some of the most electrifying finishes from the elite ranks of women’s mixed martial arts? The accompanying video showcases truly unforgettable moments where skill, power, and strategy converged to create spectacular knockouts and submissions. These instances highlight why the top women UFC fighters command such respect within the sport’s global fanbase.
From precision striking to intricate grappling, the athletes featured demonstrate an unparalleled level of dedication and athleticism. Their performances often redefine what is possible inside the octagon. This deep dive will explore these incredible finishes, offering further context and analysis for dedicated enthusiasts.
Valentina Shevchenko: The Dominance of “Bullet”
Valentina Shevchenko has long been a benchmark for excellence in the women’s flyweight division, embodying precision and tactical brilliance. Her ability to dismantle opponents with both striking and grappling is legendary. The video features her iconic head kick knockout against Lauren Murphy, a strike so potent it sounded like “someone is slapping the bag with a baseball bat.” This perfectly placed head kick underscored her devastating power and timing.
Shevchenko’s ground game is equally formidable, as showcased in her relentless beatdown of Priscilla Cachoeira. Over a minute of brutal ground and pound, accumulating well over 200 strikes, demonstrated a terrifying mastery of positional control and damage infliction. Valentina transitioned effortlessly from dominant positions, ultimately securing a rear naked choke, which solidified her status as the division’s “worst nightmare.”
Shevchenko’s Strategic Submission Game
While often celebrated for her striking, Valentina’s submission victories illustrate her comprehensive skill set. Her armbar finish against Julianna Pena was a testament to her technical prowess on the mat. Pena, known for her toughness, found herself in an inescapable bind due to Shevchenko’s “excellent wrist control” and masterful hip rotation. This maneuver allowed Valentina to achieve maximum leverage, forcing the tap from a belly-down position.
Conversely, the video also captures Alexa Grasso’s stunning submission victory over Shevchenko, marking a historic changing of the guard. Grasso’s sensational back take after a missed spinning back kick was executed with breathtaking speed and precision. She rapidly secured both hooks and cinched a rear naked choke, illustrating that even the most dominant champions can be caught by a perfectly timed submission.
Zhang Weili: The Strawweight Queen’s Explosive Power
Zhang Weili stands as a formidable force in the strawweight division, renowned for her explosive power and diverse skill set. Her ability to deliver devastating knockouts is exemplified by the brutal knee to the midsection that finished Joanna Jędrzejczyk. This strike perfectly highlighted Weili’s willingness to engage in high-octane exchanges, delivering fight-ending blows.
Weili’s spinning backfist knockout, also against Jędrzejczyk, was a highlight reel moment that demonstrated her dynamic striking repertoire. The commentators noted how the “whole forearm lands with a tremendous amount of power,” impacting the carotid artery and jaw. This spectacular finish proved that Weili possesses both raw power and the creativity to find unique paths to victory.
Weili’s Grappling Acumen and Finishes
Beyond her striking, Zhang Weili’s grappling game is surprisingly potent, making her a truly complete mixed martial artist. Her submission victory over Jessica Aguilar, utilizing a triangle choke after a sharp elbow and takedown, revealed a seamless transition between disciplines. Weili’s ability to maintain side control, distract her opponent, and then deftly lock in the choke speaks volumes about her tactical intelligence.
Furthermore, her crucifix position against Carla Esparza showcased advanced ground control and finishing instincts. While Esparza attempted to defend, Weili’s “beautifully floated hips” and meticulous hand-fighting led directly to a choke. This demonstrates that Weili can outmaneuver high-level grapplers, proving her versatility as a world-class fighter.
Julianna Pena: The “Venezuelan Vixen’s” Unyielding Spirit
Julianna Pena has carved out a reputation as a relentless competitor whose unyielding pressure often breaks her opponents. Her shocking submission victory over Amanda Nunes, widely considered the greatest female fighter of all time, remains one of UFC’s most significant upsets. Pena’s consistent jab and relentless forward momentum visibly “changed the look on Amanda’s face,” signaling a shift in momentum.
Pena’s ability to capitalize on exhaustion and secure a choke, even without immediate hooks, underscores her mental toughness and predatory instincts. She effectively dragged Nunes into deep waters and finished the fight with a standing rear naked choke. This victory served as a powerful reminder that heart and grit can sometimes overcome even the most formidable talent.
Pena’s Ground and Pound Dominance
Julianna Pena’s ground and pound is another formidable weapon in her arsenal, as seen in her finishes against Jessica Rakoczy and Milana Dudieva. Against Dudieva, Pena landed 49 strikes before securing a decisive elbow, demonstrating her ability to inflict sustained damage from top control. Her constant pressure and seamless transitions often leave opponents with “no answer” on the ground.
Similarly, against Rakoczy, Pena’s heavy right hands from mount position led to a late-round stoppage. Her ability to maintain control and “posture up and throw down her strikes” effectively neutralizes opponents who are often overwhelmed by her aggressive pace. Julianna Pena’s fighting style is a true reflection of her indomitable will and relentless pursuit of victory.
Manon Fiorot: The Aggressive Striking of “The Beast”
Manon Fiorot, known as “The Beast,” lives up to her moniker with an aggressive, forward-pressuring style that overwhelms opponents. Her striking repertoire, featuring powerful right hooks, uppercuts, and roundhouses, consistently finds its mark. Fiorot’s ability to “swarm forward letting the hands go” has led to several emphatic finishes, including her TKO victory over Katlyn Chookagian.
Fiorot’s relentless aggression and powerful combinations force her opponents onto the defensive, allowing her to dictate the pace and range of the fight. She doesn’t “sit back and wait like a traditional martial artist,” instead opting for continuous, high-volume striking. This approach has positioned Manon Fiorot as a significant threat in her division, capable of ending fights with a single flurry.
Submitting Your Inquiries: Women’s UFC Q&A
What does the article discuss about top women UFC fighters?
The article highlights some of the most exciting knockouts and submissions from elite women’s mixed martial arts, showcasing the skill and power of fighters like Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili.
What are two main ways fighters win matches, as mentioned in the article?
Fighters primarily win matches through knockouts (KOs) or submissions. A knockout happens when an opponent is unable to continue, and a submission occurs when a fighter gives up due to a hold.
What is ‘ground and pound’ in UFC?
‘Ground and pound’ is a fighting technique where a fighter takes their opponent to the ground and then delivers strikes, like punches and elbows, from a dominant position.
Does the article mention any specific submission moves?
Yes, the article mentions several submission moves, including the rear naked choke and the armbar, which are used to force an opponent to ‘tap out’ or give up.
Who is Valentina Shevchenko and what is she known for?
Valentina Shevchenko is a highly respected women’s flyweight UFC fighter known for her precision striking, powerful head kicks, and effective grappling, including submissions like the rear naked choke and armbar.