2024 is set to be a good year for UFC, with a lot of stacked cards announced so far. Competition’s heating up too, so it’s an exciting time for the women’s division. Here are some of the top stars you should be watching if you want to keep up with the action.
Gillian Robertson
Gillian Robertson has come into 2024 hot out the gates. She scored a huge win against Polyana Viana with a showstopping performance at UFC 297. She landed her first takedown in the first round and then controlled her until the bell split them apart. Her time in control also included an armbar submission attempt. Although she doesn’t have the best record, her opening performances this year certainly put her as one of the top stars to watch. The Canadian is showing ruthless aggression in the octagon, which is making for some thrilling matchups. If you want to bet on UFC stars like Gillian Robertson, using a reputable Canadian sportsbook will get you the best odds. You can find comparisons for top providers, including Bet365 online. Providers like Bet365 also offer the option to live stream from the website, which is ideal if you want to keep up with the action, as it happens.
Alexa Grasso
Alexa Grasso was amongst one of the top competitors in 2023. She took home the Fighter of the Year award and also won Upset of the Year after she took down Valentina Shevchenko. Her performance in that match earned her the chance to partake in the Flyweight Championship in March 2023.
The “WMMA Rankings Fighter of the Year” for 2023 is awarded to…
🏆 Alexa Grasso! From dethroning Shevchenko to capture the flyweight title to headlining the inaugural Noche UFC event, it’s been an incredible year for the fierce Mexican warrior. #WMMA #UFC pic.twitter.com/mWM3Y7elJD
— Women’s MMA Rankings (@WMMARankings) December 31, 2023
According to UFC, the fighter hasn’t lost since 2020, and is the top pound-for-pound fighter in the women’s division. At 30 years old, she’s showing signs of being a fierce competitor. Although she had surgery following her rematch with Shevchenko, she is making a full recovery and is set to be back in the octagon in the near future.
Valentina Shevchenko
Shevchenko is the oldest competitor on the list, yet she is also the most accomplished. She has won both flyweight and bantamweight championships, not to mention that she’s defended her flyweight championship a total of seven times. Her reign ended when Grasso defeated her.
Even though Shevchenko might be nearing the end of her career, she’s still a championship-level fighter. She went into 2024 as the 3rd-ranked pound-for-pound fighter and is topping the flyweight rankings, even though right now she’s not the champion. She’s highly decorated as a kickboxer, and known for her counterstrikes, making her one of the top fighters in the UFC currently.
Some notable mentions include Zhang Weili, who is the second pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. French karate master, Manon Fiorot is also looking to claim her first title at the age of 33, while making a name for herself within the UFC. She’s #3 in the women’s flyweight ranking and #6 in the pound-for-pound category. With so many great fighters to follow in 2024, it looks like it’s going to be an exciting year for the UFC.