However, when it comes to her being named the Female Fighter of the Year, the case for Amanda Nunes is more than strong enough if you only consider the 48 seconds at UFC 207, when she demolished the woman widely considered the greatest female fighter of all time. As Ronda Rousey staggered around the Octagon in the moments proceeding the fight, the illusion was well and truly shattered, and Amanda Nunes' star was solidified. Throw in the fact that she enjoyed a 3-0 record in 2016, claiming the sport's highest prize by beating another MMA legend in Miesha Tate, it's almost embarrassing to consider anyone else.
Nevertheless, we must. In fact, Angela Hill can actually better Nunes' record in 2016, going 4-0 in her run to the top of Invicta's strawweight division. However, when you consider both the calibre of fighters that she has come across this year, as well as the fact that she ended 2015 with back to back losses against top 10 UFC fighters in Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres, the gloss of that accomplishment slightly wears off. Similarly, the achievements of Angela Lee, the ONE FC's inaugural women's atomweight champion, are not in the same league as those of Nunes, winning just two fights in 2016, albeit in a rapidly rising organisation.
If 2013 was the introduction to women in the UFC, and 2015 was the year of its biggest shock, then 2016 was when the divisions demonstrated their strength in depth. Joanna Jedrzejczyk, peerless in her 2015 run to and then defence of the strawweight title, has certainly noticed that this year. Though she comfortably outpointed Claudia Gadelha in a fight with more than a little bad blood, she found herself more than challenged by fellow Pole Karolina Kowalkiewicz, getting dropped in the fourth round before reclaiming her composure. She maintains the UFC crown, but it is beginning to look a little more uncertain than it did a year ago.
Finally, the introduction of Cris 'Cyborg' Justino to the UFC was a moment many thought would never come. Having cleared out the Invicta Featherweight division, Dana White was at a loss to find her an opponent at 145 lbs, forcing two catchweight bouts against mid-level bantamweight fighters. The inevitable batterings ensued, with the weight cut nearly killing Cyborg in the process. While the announcement of a new featherweight division could lead to a greater challenge for Justino in 2017, her health problems, and a certain case currently with USADA, means that 2016 represents just a step forward in her career, rather than a seminal moment.
Nevertheless, we must. In fact, Angela Hill can actually better Nunes' record in 2016, going 4-0 in her run to the top of Invicta's strawweight division. However, when you consider both the calibre of fighters that she has come across this year, as well as the fact that she ended 2015 with back to back losses against top 10 UFC fighters in Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres, the gloss of that accomplishment slightly wears off. Similarly, the achievements of Angela Lee, the ONE FC's inaugural women's atomweight champion, are not in the same league as those of Nunes, winning just two fights in 2016, albeit in a rapidly rising organisation.
If 2013 was the introduction to women in the UFC, and 2015 was the year of its biggest shock, then 2016 was when the divisions demonstrated their strength in depth. Joanna Jedrzejczyk, peerless in her 2015 run to and then defence of the strawweight title, has certainly noticed that this year. Though she comfortably outpointed Claudia Gadelha in a fight with more than a little bad blood, she found herself more than challenged by fellow Pole Karolina Kowalkiewicz, getting dropped in the fourth round before reclaiming her composure. She maintains the UFC crown, but it is beginning to look a little more uncertain than it did a year ago.
Finally, the introduction of Cris 'Cyborg' Justino to the UFC was a moment many thought would never come. Having cleared out the Invicta Featherweight division, Dana White was at a loss to find her an opponent at 145 lbs, forcing two catchweight bouts against mid-level bantamweight fighters. The inevitable batterings ensued, with the weight cut nearly killing Cyborg in the process. While the announcement of a new featherweight division could lead to a greater challenge for Justino in 2017, her health problems, and a certain case currently with USADA, means that 2016 represents just a step forward in her career, rather than a seminal moment.
Meanwhile, it has certainly been a transformational year for the 'Lioness'. Taking her performances inside the Octagon aside, the progress she has made in her game across the board has been remarkable. She is now arguably the most well-rounded female fighter in the UFC, or at least closing in rapidly on Jedrzejczyk, possessing some of the most dangerous boxing in the division. She has also demonstrated how adept she is on the mat, using her black belt in jiu-jitzu to claim the title from Tate at the main event of UFC 200.
As a result, her confidence is sky-high, and she's recently said that she feels she can emulate Conor McGregor and hold two UFC belts simultaneously. Eyeing up the winner of the inaugural women's featherweight title fight between Germaine de Randemie and Holly Holm, she firmly believes that either woman would see a fate similar to Ronda Rousey.
For many, her place as the year's best female fighter is beyond doubt, but if she does manage to accomplish what she intends next year, she will solidify herself as one of the greatest ever.
As a result, her confidence is sky-high, and she's recently said that she feels she can emulate Conor McGregor and hold two UFC belts simultaneously. Eyeing up the winner of the inaugural women's featherweight title fight between Germaine de Randemie and Holly Holm, she firmly believes that either woman would see a fate similar to Ronda Rousey.
For many, her place as the year's best female fighter is beyond doubt, but if she does manage to accomplish what she intends next year, she will solidify herself as one of the greatest ever.
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