Women’s MMA hit new heights in 2024, delivering some of the most thrilling moments in UFC history! From intense trilogies that redefined rivalries to debuting stars shaking up the landscape, the year was nothing short of extraordinary. Fans witnessed Zhang Weili making history in a battle of Chinese titans, Valentina Shevchenko reclaiming her crown in a high-stakes rematch, and Kayla Harrison’s explosive UFC debut.

Meanwhile, controversy swirled around title fights, and rising stars like Erin Blanchfield pushed veterans like Manon Fiorot to their limits. What made these clashes special wasn’t just the stakes but the stories behind them. Champions defended their thrones, contenders rose from the ashes, and legends rewrote their legacies. Let’s dive into the top five female UFC fights that defined 2024!

1. Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300

A clash for the ages unfolded in the co-main event of UFC 300, as Zhang Weili defended her strawweight title against compatriot Yan Xiaonan in the first-ever title fight between Chinese athletes. This battle wasn’t just about the belt; it was about national pride and personal resilience.

The opening round was a nail-biter. Zhang nearly ended the fight with a brutal rear-naked choke that had Xiaonan appearing unconscious momentarily. But time was her saving grace. She stormed back in later rounds, tagging the champion with stiff punches and briefly dropping her. Despite these moments of brilliance, Zhang’s relentless wrestling and grappling dominated the fight. Judges scored it 49-45 in her favor.

“She’s so tough, I have so much respect for her. I would like for us to be good friends after the fight. I really thought she was out [after that rear-naked choke] but she bounced back very quickly.” Zhang confessed after the fight.

This war showcased Zhang’s dominance but also Yan’s indomitable spirit. Zhang’s ferocity on the ground and Yan’s grit on the feet made it a fight fans will certainly talk about for years!

2. Kayla Harrison vs. Holly Holm at UFC 300

The incredibly stacked UFC 300 card gave the fans a lot of fights to remember. Alex Pereira’s demolition of Jamahal Hill, Max Holloway’s iconic knockout of Justin Gaethje, but Kayla Harrison’s UFC debut at the event was nothing short of a masterclass. In a clash of two legends—an Olympic judo gold medalist versus a combat sports icon—Harrison wasted no time asserting her dominance over Holly Holm.

The first round saw Harrison impose her will with vicious ground-and-pound, using elbows that were previously barred in her PFL career. By the second round, she sealed the deal with a flawless judo trip, transitioning to a rear-naked choke for the win at just 1:47.

In her post-fight interview, Harrison made her intentions clear for her future in the UFC. She boldly proclaimed, “I want my title next. That’s what I came over here for.”

Holm, despite her legendary resume which includes the highlight reel KO over Ronda Rousey, struggled to find her rhythm against Harrison’s relentless pressure. The victory opened a floodgate of possibilities for the former PFL star, including a potential clash with retired great Amanda Nunes, a prospect she welcomed with “open arms”. Harrison confessed, “I thought she was happily retired. I would love to win the UFC title, and if Amanda wants to come back, I would welcome her with open arms.”

3. Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso at 306

 At the second ever ‘Noche UFC’, a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, the Octagon headed to ‘The Sphere’ in Las Vegas and treated fans to a once-in-a-lifetime experience inside the technological marvel! Sean O’Malley defended his bantamweight crown against Merab Dvalishvili in the main event and Alexa Grasso put her women’s flyweight title on the line in a long-awaited rematch against Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main event for the night.

So, the trilogy between Shevchenko and Grasso finally reached its crescendo at UFC 306. Shevchenko reclaimed her flyweight title with a unanimous decision victory, leaving no doubt about her superiority this time.

Grasso, who had upset Shevchenko in their first bout and forced a draw in their rematch, struggled to keep pace. ‘The Bullet’ executed a masterclass in grappling, amassing over 16 minutes of ground control. According to stats provided by the UFC, Grasso managed to land only 18 significant strikes, which speaks volumes about Shevchenko’s game plan and masterful tactics in the fight.

In the post-fight interview, Shevchenko stated, “It’s a dream come true fighting in the Sphere. Everything about this fight was more satisfying [than the last one]. The game plan was to go in there and fight to the end.”

While the crowd occasionally booed the lack of action, Shevchenko’s strategy was impeccable. Grasso’s multiple submission attempts were deftly countered, and ‘The Bullet’ cemented her legacy as one of the sport’s greatest female flyweights!

4. Julianna Peña vs. Raquel Pennington at UFC 307

Controversy reigned supreme in this bantamweight title fight. Julianna Pena edged out Raquel Pennington via split decision, reclaiming her championship amid heated debates over the judges’ scorecards.

Pennington appeared to have the edge in the later rounds, dropping Pena with a brutal right hand in the fourth. But Pena’s relentless grappling and aggression in the earlier rounds swayed two of the judges in her favor with 48-47 scorecards.

So, did Pennington agree with the judge’s decision? After all, despite being taken down and controlled on the ground by Pena through significant portions of the fight, ‘Rocky’ landed the harder shots on the feet and was looking strong by the end. In the post-fight interview, Pennington stated, “I felt like I was landing more strikes and then dropping her. I was pressuring her the entire time in the fifth. It was my fault for letting it go to the judges.”

Despite the contentious outcome, the bout underscored the razor-thin margins at the top of the women’s bantamweight division. For Pena, it marked her second reign as champion, albeit a reign shadowed by controversy at its very beginning.

5. Manon Fiorot vs. Erin Blanchfield at UFC on ESPN 54

When rising star Erin Blanchfield met French powerhouse Manon Fiorot in Atlantic City, fans were treated to a chess match of striking and grappling. Fiorot’s crisp kickboxing clashed with Blanchfield’s relentless pace, culminating in a decision win that left the arena buzzing.

Blanchfield’s takedowns tested Fiorot’s resilience, but the French fighter’s precision striking kept her in the game. By the third round, it was anyone’s fight, with both athletes trading momentum in a back-and-forth battle. According to stats by the UFC, the French fighter held the edge with 164 strikes landed compared to Blanchfield’s 142.

Fiorot’s final flurry of head kicks and body shots may have sealed the deal for the judges, but Blanchfield’s tenacity ensured the fight would be remembered as a classic. With a 50-45 unanimous decision, Fiorot walked away with her hands raised and maintained her undefeated UFC record.

From Zhang Weili’s dominant defense to Fiorot’s breakout performance, 2024 was packed with unforgettable moments. These fights not only showcased the skill and heart of the fighters but also set the stage for an exciting future in women’s MMA. Which of these fights was your favorite? Or is there another battle that stole your heart in 2024? Let us know as we gear up for another thrilling year inside the Octagon!