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The UFC Women’s Flyweight division is one of the most technically rich weight classes in the entire organization. Defined almost entirely by its dominant champion, the 125-pound division has evolved from a single-fighter show into a competitive landscape featuring elite strikers, grapplers, and world-class technicians. Here’s the complete breakdown of the division as it stands in 2025.

UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion: Valentina Shevchenko

Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko is one of the most technically accomplished fighters in UFC history, regardless of gender. The Kyrgyzstan-born, Peru-based champion holds a black belt in Muay Thai, a black belt in judo, and is a multiple-time Muay Thai world champion. She won the UFC Women’s Flyweight title in December 2018 and made seven consecutive title defenses before her first loss in the UFC came against Alexa Grasso at UFC 285 in March 2023 — a stunning submission in the fourth round that ended her reign.

However, Shevchenko recaptured her championship footing in the rematch at Noche UFC in September 2023, which ended in a majority draw, allowing Grasso to retain by technicality. Shevchenko remains the measuring stick of the division and the fighter every contender must ultimately solve.

UFC Women’s Flyweight Top Contenders

#1 Contender: Alexa Grasso

Alexa Grasso is a Mexican submission specialist who pulled off one of the biggest upsets in women’s MMA history when she choked out Shevchenko in the fourth round at UFC 285. Grasso has exceptional jiu-jitsu, a strong striking foundation, and the mental toughness to close out fights. She represents the clearest threat to Shevchenko’s dominance and the rivalry between them is the defining narrative of the division. Grasso fights with creativity on the ground and has shown she can hang with the best the division has to offer.

#2: Erin Blanchfield

Erin Blanchfield is the future of the women’s flyweight division. The New Jersey product is only in her mid-20s and already demolishing ranked competition with a suffocating top game and elite wrestling. Her ability to drag opponents to the mat and control them with heavy, technical pressure makes her uniquely dangerous. Blanchfield has defeated multiple ranked opponents including Taila Santos and JJ Aldrich, and her youth gives the division a genuine long-term contender to look forward to. She is likely one title shot away from defining herself as the division’s next great champion.

#3: Manon Fiorot

Manon Fiorot is a French striker who has put together one of the more impressive win streaks in the division. Unbeaten in the UFC until 2024, Fiorot fights with polished Muay Thai, excellent combinations, and the aggression of a top contender. She has finished fights at will against ranked opponents and earned her shot at the top of the division through consistent, dominant performances. Her striking pedigree is legitimate and she presents a different challenge than the grapplers who have challenged Shevchenko and Grasso.

#4: Taila Santos

Taila Santos nearly became champion in 2022, fighting Shevchenko at UFC 275 in a narrow split decision loss that many observers felt could have gone the other way. The Brazilian is a well-rounded fighter with strong wrestling, submission skills, and improving striking. Despite subsequent losses, Santos remains a legitimate top-five threat in the division and has the profile of a fighter who could challenge for the title again with a strong run.

#5: Natalia Silva

Natalia Silva has emerged as one of the division’s most exciting prospects. The Brazilian has finishing ability in both standup and on the ground, and her activity and aggression make her a difficult stylistic puzzle. Silva has racked up impressive wins in the UFC and is firmly on the radar of the top contenders. Her development trajectory points toward a future title shot if she can continue performing at a high level.

Other Notable Fighters in the Division

Maycee Barber — A fan favorite with power and finishing ability. Barber has had an up-and-down run in the UFC but her natural talent keeps her relevant. She presses the pace and looks for finishes in every fight.

Casey O’Neill — A Scottish-Australian submission specialist with elite ground skills. O’Neill has some of the best jiu-jitsu in the division and her ability to submit opponents quickly makes her a dangerous matchup for anyone.

Katlyn Cerminara — A long, athletic fighter who has shown the ability to control opponents with her wrestling and length. Cerminara is a consistent presence in the rankings and a difficult matchup for top contenders.

The Shevchenko-Grasso Trilogy?

The biggest question hanging over the women’s flyweight division is whether Shevchenko and Grasso will fight for a third time. Their two meetings — Grasso’s submission upset and the controversial majority draw rematch — set up one of the most compelling trilogies in women’s MMA history. The division essentially pauses and holds its breath every time these two are mentioned in the same breath.

Below them, the contender pool is developing rapidly. Blanchfield, Fiorot, and Silva represent the next generation of title challengers, and the division’s depth is better than it has been at any point in its history.

Why the Women’s Flyweight Division Matters

The women’s flyweight division often gets overlooked in favor of the headline-grabbing strawweight and bantamweight weight classes, but it contains some of the most technically sophisticated fighters in women’s MMA. Shevchenko’s dominance gave the division an identity; Grasso’s shocking upset gave it a story; and the emerging talents below them give it a future.

For fans who appreciate technique, timing, and the chess match of high-level combat sports, the women’s flyweight division is appointment viewing.