The UFC is perhaps the most intense full-contact sport that involves mixed martial arts. There lies an unexpected element that captivates fans beyond the octagon: the undeniable allure of the fighters themselves.
Beside beauty and charisma, what exactly do these women have to be included among the hottest female fighters?
As a health and fitness coach for years, I’ve had the privilege of training women to achieve their fitness goals through intense workouts and disciplined diets. Total Shape's team has observed that, alongside beauty and charisma, there are specific qualities that make these women stand out among the hottest female fighters.
Before we proceed, try making a list and see if the results of our poll matches with your top hottest UFC fighters.
Hottest UFC Female Fighters of All Time
22. Cat Zingano
- Age: 41 years
- Height: 5 ft 5 in
- Nationality: American
Cat Zingano is a force to be reckoned with in the UFC's Bantamweight division. Beginning her wrestling career at age 12, she quickly became a 4-time All-American and National Champion.
Since turning pro in 2008, her fiery determination has led her through Invicta FC and Strikeforce to become one of the top-ranked female fighters in the world.
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Her success is a testament to her relentless drive and the intensity that makes her one of the sport's most formidable competitors.
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21. Melissa Sophia Karagianis
- Age: 35 years
- Height: 5 ft 4 in
- Nationality: Canadian
Melissa is a hot sensation in the Atomweight division, fighting with a fiery intensity that has set the cage ablaze. Hailing from Toronto, Canada, her current battles with King of the Cage have earned her recognition as one of the most thrilling fighters to watch.
Her heated performances and relentless passion have set her apart as the only Canadian on the list. Total Shape’s team has found that her strength, combined with her incredible skills, makes her a standout not only for her physical abilities but also for the determination and focus that fuel her success.
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Melissa's presence in the ring is not just about victory; it's a red-hot statement of skill, flair, and Canadian pride.
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20. Rose Namajunas - “Thug Rose”
- Age: 29 years
- Height: 5 ft 5 in
- Nationality: American
Rose Gertrude Namajunas is a UFC pro fighter who currently holds the Women's Strawweight World Championship title with pride [1].
Her change in hairstyle sparked a debate among many fans. Some raving fans didn’t support the skinny hairstyle and instead, preferred her long hair more.
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As far as I am concerned, she still looks just as pretty and exceptional.
Indeed, Rose is a remarkable fighter and a beautiful person inside out.
Rose Namajunas maintains her top-tier fighter physique through a rigorous workout routine. She trains six days a week, focusing on cardiovascular exercises like running, cycling, and HIIT to boost endurance and stamina.
Strength training, including squats, deadlifts, and functional exercises, builds her muscle and power. Martial arts drills enhance her fighting skills, speed, and coordination.
Namajunas follows a strict diet rich in lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, avoiding processed foods and sugary drinks.
Recovery is prioritized, utilizing ice baths, foam rolling, and massage therapy after intense training sessions. Yoga and meditation also play a role in her regimen, enhancing flexibility and mental focus.
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19. Ashley Yoder - "Spidey Monkey"
- Age: 34 years
- Height: 5 ft 7 in
- Nationality: American
Ashley Elizabeth Yoder is a UFC strawweight fighter making a few successes in the Octagon.
Although she didn't win on The Ultimate Fighter back in 2016, the UFC asked her to sign up for the promotion.
Her love for dogs radiates her lively personality. Topped with stunning looks and a gorgeous physique makes her one of the hottest, most beautiful female UFC fighters ever.
18. Alexa Grasso
- Age: 28 years
- Height: 5 ft 5 in
- Nationality: Mexican
The Mexican strawweight Alexa Grasso is another pretty face that attracts almost half a million Instagram followers.
But if you get in a fight with her, don't be fooled by her sweet looks because she can be as fierce as she is in the Octagon.
In 2012, she started her mixed martial arts career and signed to Invicta FC, which laid the foundation for Grasso to sign to the UFC in 2016.
She won her promotional debut against Heather Jo Clark, making her one of the most beloved fighters in the promotion.
She has dealt with injuries that forced her to withdraw from significant fights, including a knee injury and other physical setbacks.
Grasso also faced the adversity of losing fights but demonstrated resilience by bouncing back stronger, honing her skills, and achieving notable victories.
She overcame weight issues and successfully transitioned to the flyweight division, where she became the UFC Women's Flyweight Champion, marking her as the first Mexican woman to achieve this feat.
17. Gina Carano
- Age: 39 years
- Height: 5 ft 8 in
- Nationality: American
Gina "Crush" Carano exudes a gorgeous face inside the Octagon, setting the stage for her Hollywood career with grace.
Although she never battled for the UFC, Carano's beauty and accomplishments as an MMA fighter put her on the list of the hottest female top fighters in history.
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She began her fights in Muay Thai, amassing an impressive 12-1-1 record, before going into MMA in 2006. She had a 7-0 standing before the first high-profile, televised MMA fight in 2009 with Cris Cyborg.
The unfortunate loss cleared the way for her early retirement, opening the doors to acting careers in Hollywood, namely in Deadpool, Fast and the Furious 6, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian Episode 5.
16. Ariane Lipski - "The Queen of Violence"
- Age: 27 years
- Height: 5 ft 6 in
- Nationality: Brazilian
Ariane Lipski has this fresh aura of a beautiful face and a well-toned physique.
She won the 2017 KSW Women flyweight championship, which paved the way to UFC, and is now considered one of the hottest fighters in the promotion today.
She bagged the name "Queen of Violence" by finishing 9 of her 13 wins. A star in the making currently holds a 52-5 KO record in the UFC women's featherweight division.
She has earned a balanced reputation of fierceness and ingenuity by carrying an actual professional MMA fighter image.
15. Felice Herrig - "Lil Bulldog"
- Age: 36 years
- Height: 5 ft 4 in
- Nationality: American
Felice Nicole Herrig is another celebrity among the most beautiful martial arts fighters.
Felice is a Muay Thai kickboxer and professional mixed martial artist who started pro-fighting in 2009 and continued inside the UFC in 2014.
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Aside from her pretty face and excellent MMA skills, she has a hot body to show.
So who can say she can't turn the tables on her MMA career?
She may have had her brief taste of success, but her captivating smile and a stunning body, even at 36, puts her among the hottest female fighters ever to fight for UFC.
14. Amanda Ribas
- Age: 27 years
- Height: 5 ft 5 in
- Nationality: Brazilian
Amanda Ribas is one of the most beautiful and famous female contenders in the UFC.
And it is not surprising that she is a crowd favorite.
Amanda has a fascinating giggly personality to top up her fantastic figure and bright smile.
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Amanda has a fascinating giggly personality to top up her fantastic figure and bright smile. That is why she is appreciated by billions of followers on Instagram.
As an MMA fighter, she has been trained by her father, Marcelo Ribas, to become a spirited fighter, which led her to defeat Paige VanZant with a first-round armbar at UFC 251.
Amanda Ribas is a black belt holder in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Judo and is considered a title threat at flyweight with 10-1 and 7 finishes.
13. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
- Age: 34
- Height: 5 ft 6 in
- Nationality: Polish
UFC Women's Strawweight legend Joanna Jedrzejczyk is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, amassing almost 2 million followers on Instagram.
Jedrzejczyk, a former Muay Thai kickboxer, became a world kickboxing champion in amateur and professional ranks.
At 21, she entered MMA and became one of the UFC's elite fighters.
She won the UFC Strawweight Championship in 2015 and defended this belt five consecutive times. But Rose Namajunas coveted the title at UFC 217, which was Joanna's first professional MMA loss. It was seconded when she set out on MMA's 2020 Fight of the Year with a final result in favor of Zhang Weili [2].
Joanna Jedrzejczyk faced adversity with a lingering shoulder injury that resurfaced during her intense training, leading to emotional turmoil.
The injury provided perspective, bringing calmness and acceptance to her retirement. Joanna now embraces other passions, showcasing her resilience and adaptability beyond the MMA ring.
12. Holly Holm
- Age: 39
- Height: 5 feet 8 in
- Nationality: American
Holly Rene Holm-Kirkpatrick is one of the most famous, incredibly appealing female MMA fighters in history, with over 2 million Instagram followers adoring her.
Holly Holm is a seasoned kickboxing expert, most particularly noted for knocking out Ronda Rousey with a ferocious head kick to become the UFC champion in a thrilling match.
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Also, she ranked number 2 in the World Boxing Council (WBC), and out of 19 MMA fights, she made 13 wins, with eight losses.
I’ve always admired Holly Holm, not just for her skills but for her restraint in the world obsessed with social media. It reminds me of my early days, where the fight was all that mattered.
Being a preacher’s daughter, Holly’s journey is a testament to the balance between personal beliefs and the raw, unfiltered nature of our sport.
11. Valentina Shevchenko - "Bullet"
- Age: 33 years
- Height: 5 ft 5 in
- Nationality: Kyrgyzstani-Peruvian
Valentina Anatolievna Shevchenko is well-loved and hailed as one of UFC's best and hottest female pro fighters today and for good reason.
Her strong MMA skills and beautiful personality made her one of the best contenders in UFC history and a fan favorite.
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Valentina Shevchenko's fitness routine includes 5-6 days of Muay Thai, sparring, and weightlifting.
She focuses on a balanced diet of 4-5 daily meals, consisting of oatmeal, egg whites, chicken breast, rice, and veggies. She indulges occasionally in treats.
Recovery involves visualizing success, and she underwent surgery for a speedy recovery from a leg injury.
She is a sensational Muay Thai fighter, having successful bouts in that sport before becoming a mixed martial artist.Without a doubt, Valentina Shevchenko now holds the current title as the UFC Women's Flyweight Champion, and who knows what's more in store for her soon.
10. Claudia Gadelha - “Claudinha”
- Age: 32 years
- Height: 5 ft 4 in
- Nationality: Brazilian
Ana Claudia Dantas Gadelha is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu expert who made it to the UFC's strawweight division and has a great MMA story to tell.
In 2008, she started her MMA career and won her first 12 fights to enter the UFC and become one of the best female fighters in the world.
As of January 2021, the energetic Brazilian ranks 7th and 15th in the UFC women's strawweight and pound-for-pound rankings, respectively.
Not only is she good at MMA skills, but she also possesses a beautiful face, a well-fit body, and a large tattoo on her body.
Today, she is one of the hottest female fighters in the Octagon, with almost a million Instagram followers.
9. Alexandra Albu
- Age: 31 years
- Height: 5 ft 3 in
- Nationality: Moldovan-Russian
Alexandra or Aleksandra Albu is a former UFC mixed martial artist with a fascinating face and impressive curves.
She doesn't shy away from posting sexy pictures and showing her twerks on social media platforms.
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In 2013, she had her first professional fight in Octagon Fight Club in Moscow.
After winning her debut fight, she signed to fight with UFC in the strawweight division and has remained undefeated in three fights since turning pro.
8. Andrea Lee - "KGB"
- Age: 32 years
- Height: 5 ft 7 in
- Nationality: American
Andrea Lee is a female fighter whose blonde hair and pioneering spirit make her one of the prettiest women in UFC, not to mention her wide beaming smile.
While working as a waitress, she watched MMA on TV and thought she should try.
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She went to the nearest gym and started training regularly.
Her dedication and determination made her signed by the UFC in 2009 and became one of the most active and competitive MMA fighters in the world today.
As of March 2021, Lee was ranked 11th in the women's flyweight rankings.
7. Tracy Cortez
- Age: 27 years
- Height: 5 ft 5 in
- Nationality: Mexican-American
Tracy Cortez showed interest in becoming a mixed martial artist and started training at 14. Her MMA career continued to blossom, and at age 26, she won eight pro fights.
Tracy Cortez is undoubtedly one of the most provocative and sexiest MMA warriors ever to enter the Octagon, with almost half a million followers on Instagram.
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Today, she might not have captured the heart of the advertising media yet. But sure enough, her beguiling looks and competitive MMA fighting skills will earn her a spot on television and magazines.
6. Mackenzie Dern
- Age: 28 years
- Height: 5 ft 4 in
- Nationality: Brazilian-American
Mackenzie Lynne Dern Santos is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt holder who earned ADCC and IBJJF World Championship titles.
She started her MMA career in 2016, followed by the UFC in 2018, where she made numerous successful fights, including that of Ashley Yoder.
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Dern now holds an impressive MMA record of 8-1.
Today, Mackenzie Dern is among the most sought-after hottest female UFC fighters. The Brazilian native charm has enchanted nearly a million followers, especially because she managed to keep fit even after giving birth.
5. Ronda Rousey
- Age: 34 years
- Height: 5 ft 7 in
- Nationality: American
Ronda Jean Rousey may be the most popular female UFC fighter ever.
She guested on television shows like Entourage and covered for magazines like Maxim due to her classic barefaced, natural alluring look.
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It is undeniable that she is one of the most alluring female MMA warriors of all time.
"She changed the world. She put female fighting on the map. She's been part of the biggest fights in the history of women fighting, and I hope those records can be broken. I don't know if they can, but I hope they can."
- Dana White, Current UFC President
Inside the Octagon, the women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey was ruthless and intense.
But outside the ring, she was good-natured and friendly.
Her experience and exposure from UFC paved her way to pursuing a career in Hollywood and WWE.
Ronda Rousey's fitness regimen is intense, involving 3-6 days of mixed martial arts conditioning, cardio, yoga, and muscle building.
Her diet includes a large breakfast, medium lunch, and small dinner, featuring foods like chia seeds, eggs, turkey bacon, and vegetables.
Rousey's recovery includes a dedicated rest day and therapy. Supplements from her co-owned company, Max Effort, aid in muscle growth and recovery.
Today, Rousey remains the face of the UFC, captivating millions of hearts with her greatness and beauty.
4. Rachael Ostovich
- Age: 30 years
- Height: 5 ft 3 in
- Nationality: American
Rachael Ostovich may not be considered as one of the best MMA female warriors but is regarded as one of the sexiest and most beautiful in UFC.
Her MMA career started as an amateur in 2010, and she had four pro fights with Invicta FC.
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She had several losses in fights, but she retained her fighting spirit, which gave her a spot on the 26th season of The Ultimate Fighter.
She eventually entered the women's flyweight division as a UFC fighter.a
But in early 2020, Rachael Ostovich was given an eight-month suspension from the UFC for testing positive for Ostarine [3].
3. Miesha Tate - "Cupcake"
- Age: 34 years
- Height: 5 ft 6 in
- Nationality: American
Miesha Theresa Tate is a former UFC champion with a sweet byname. She represents a strong and fierce female MMA fighter with a kind and cheerful personality, inspiring more than 2 million followers.
She remains undoubtedly one of the hottest female mixed martial artists of all time, as she managed to maintain her stunning looks and gorgeous physique despite being a mom of two.
Her experience as an MMA fighter started as an avid wrestler in Franklin Pierce High School, where she won the state championship in 2004. That led her to pursue an MMA career in 2007.
Today, Miesha Tate lives with her family in Singapore and takes the vice-presidential seat for ONE Championship.
2. Michelle Waterson - "The Karate Hottie"
- Age: 35 years
- Height: 5 ft 3 in
- Nationality: American
Michelle Eileen Waterson juggles her life as a fighter, an athlete, a model, and a mom, capturing the hearts of almost 2 million followers on Instagram with her charm.
At 10, she fell in love with karate and trained her best to become a black belt holder and a true warrior. Getting started with this martial art at a young age gave her the necessary advantages to excel in her endeavors.
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At 10, she fell in love with karate and trained her best to become a black belt holder.
She later became known in 2007 by appearing in a reality show, Fight Girls, which was followed by kickboxing and winning world championships as a competitive UFC mixed martial artist.
Not to mention being a former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion [4].
All her MMA commitments didn't stop her from appearing in numerous TV shows and modeling for ESPN's "The Body Issue."
The Karate Hottie is not just one of the hottest UFC female fighters but also a multi-rounded person in general.
1. Paige VanZant - "12 Gauge"
- Age: 27 years old
- Height: 5 ft 4 in
- Nationality: American
Paige Michelle VanZant is a green-eyed goddess who, for many MMA fans, is a smoking hot sensation, with almost 3 million social media followers.
At an early age, she trained for boxing and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, which led her to fight her first amateur match with Invicta FC at 18.
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Paige's athletic prowess is complemented by her media presence, marked by appearances on shows like 'Chopped' and 'Dancing with the Stars,' and featuring in the 2019 Sports Illustrated Swimwear Edition.
Paige VanZant faced mental health struggles after losing to Rachael Ostovich at BKFC 19.
Feeling overwhelmed by public expectations and personal pressures, she confronted dark emotions.
With the support of her husband, Austin Vanderford, and focusing on his successes, Paige found strength to overcome her adversities and continue her journey.
Paige VanZant may have decided to shift to bare-knuckle boxing with BKFC, but she remains one of the hottest female UFC fighters today.
References:
- https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/rose-namajunas
- https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/28/22202559/mma-fightings-2020-fight-of-the-year-zhang-weili-vs-joanna-jedrzejczyk
- https://www.khon2.com/sports/ufcs-rachael-ostovich-accepts-usada-sanction-after-proving-that-she-ingested-tainted-supplements/
- https://www.onnit.com/joe-rogan/
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