UFC Matchmaking: Woman's Flyweight Division

by Zak Drapeau 9/24/2025 Sportz Nation

Current Rankings

C Valentina Shevchenko

1 Natalia Silva

2 Manon Fiorot

3 Alexa Grasso

4 Erin Blanchfield

5 Maycee Barber

6 Jasmine Jasudavicius

7 Rose Namajunas

8 Tracy Cortez

9 Karine Silva

10 Miranda Maverick

11 Casey O'Neill

12 Wang Cong

13 Eduarda Moura

14 JJ Aldrich

15 Luana Carolina

White: Created Matchup

Yellow: Rumored Matchup

Red: Confirmed Matchup

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Graphic by UFC

C Valentina Shevchenko (-115)

vs

C Weili Zhang

[Winner Fights

1Natalia Silva]

Zak

In the biggest Women's Superfight since Shevchenko-Nunes and until Nunes-Harrison, Weili Zhang will come up to challenge Shevchenko for double-champ status in the Flyweight division. Ultimately, I see this going 5 rounds, and I think Zhang will have the grappling advantage that should see her be more active in the championship rounds.

If Zhang decides to stay at 125 and defend the Flyweight title, her fight with Natalia Silva is a tough matchup. Silva is a deadly striker with a slight size advantage over Zhang and has lost only 1 round so far in the UFC. In a huge upset, I'll actually take Silva in this very hypothetical matchup.

Zhang by Split Decision

N. Silva by Unanimous Decision

Matt

I mean, come on! This is a must-see TV kind of fight. Both Shevchenko and Zhang are fantastic all-around fighters with very few flaws in their game. They are among the top fighters we have ever seen in Women's UFC history, so the fact that we get this fight is incredible. With that said, I think Zang may have a difficult time against Shevchenko. She is not used to fighting at this weight, while Shevchenko can come at you in a variety of ways. I think Shevchenko puts pressure on Zang right away and never lets her get going. This is a legacy fight for both women here, but I think Shevchenko has a slight edge.

I have Shevchenko by decision here.

So, with that prediction made, that means a Shevchenko vs Silva fight would be next. I think this has potential fight of the year written all over it. Silva brings a level of striking and kickboxing we have rarely seen in the Flyweight division, while Shevchenko would be coming off possibly the biggest win of her career. I think Shevchenko will try and get this fight to the ground as soon as possible, so the entire fight depends on how good Silva's takedown defense looks that night.

I would have Shevchenko by decision here.

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2 Manon Fiorot (-200)

vs

6 Jasmine Jasudavicius

[Winner Gets

Title Eliminator against Loser of Shevchenko/Zang]

[Loser Fights

7 Rose Namajunas]

Zak

To me, this fight is a lot closer than Fiorot's 2-to-1 odds reflect. Jasudavicius has a SERIOUS ground game, and Fiorot's wrestling was just exposed against Valentina in May. Ultimately, I think Manon will outbox JJ, but if the fight gets to the ground, I really believe Jasudavicius ends it.

Jasudavicius by Submission

The next fight is Jasudavicius vs. Shevchenko. This fight is much closer on the ground than JJ's last, and since Shevchenko holds a significant striking advantage, I have to give this to the former champ.

Shevchenko by Unanimous Decision

The next fight is Fiorot vs. Namajunas 2. In a rematch from 2023, the two strikers will go blow for blow and likely have as close of a matchup as the first encounter, and I will predict the same result as last time.

Fiorot by Unanimous Decision

Matt

To start, Fiorot vs Jasudavicius will be a very telling fight. On one hand, Fiorot will get another huge grappling test against a very skilled submission artist, while Jasudavicius is getting her biggest test yet on the feet. This could end up being an underwhelming fight due to the stylistic clash, but I think Fiorot has some of the best takedown defense in the division and shows it in this fight.

I have Fiorot by TKO/KO here

That means, if we base it off my prediction above, you would have a Fiorot vs. Zhang title eliminator with Jasudavicius taking on Rose Namajunas.

Starting with the title eliminator, Fiorot vs. Zhang is a super fun fight. Again, I think it is a stylistic nightmare for Fiorot. Zhang's grappling is on a different level than most, so her takedown defense might be too much for Fiorot to handle.

Then, regarding the Jasudavicius vs. Namajunas fight, I think this is a great bounce-back fight for Jasudavicius. In my eyes, she is more skilled on the ground than Rose, while Rose's takedown defense has not been great lately. I think Jasudavicius overwhelms Namajunas if they were to fight.

I would have Zhang by decision and Jasudavicius by submission here.

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4 Erin Blanchfield (-220)

vs

8 Tracy Cortez

[Winner Fights

3 Alexa Grasso]

Zak

This is a clash of two great wrestlers who often stand up when fighting other wrestlers. We are likely to see a stalemate in wrestling as far as control time goes, but when it comes to striking, it would take a miracle for Tracy Cortez to outperform Blanchfield.

Blanchfield by Unanimous Decision

Matt

I love this matchup for both Blanchfield and Cortez. Though I wish we could have seen Blanchfield fight Barber, Cortez is another up-and-comer that she can prove herself against. With that said, I am a huge Tracy Cortez believer. I think she has the potential to be the best grappler in this division. If she can clean up her striking a bit and get to Blanchfield first (which is no easy feat), I think Cortez can roll through her.

I have Cortez by decision here

That means Cortez would be up against Alexa Grasso next. Another exciting fight that provides a huge test for both fighters. Grasso is a very skilled striker who has tremendously improved on the ground, but I feel Cortez will have the edge. If her striking improves, which I think it will, her takedown opportunities will open up against a fighter like Grasso who loves to put pressure on opponents. I think Cortez can shock a lot of people once again, cementing her status as a top contender.

I have Cortez by Submission here

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5 Maycee Barber

vs

9 Karine Silva

Zak

Maycee Barber doesn't always use her wrestling, but against Karine Silva, I can see her channeling her inner Nurmagomedov. Silva's 11% takedown defense is the worst of any ranked fighter in the UFC, and even though the two have similar striking, if Barber gameplans correctly, this fight could be a wash.

Maycee Barber by Unanimous Decision

Matt

My original thought was to have Barber go up against Alexa Grasso, but since she had to pull out against Blanchfield due to extreme illness, she may want to take a step back in order to maintain her top-5 status. Plus, a fight against Karine Silva is heavily rumored, which is a great opportunity for Silva and a comeback fight for Barber. Though Silva is a skilled Jiu-Jitsu fighter, Barber should win this easily. Her repertoire of stand-up and ground game will overwhelm Silva who, like Zak mentioned, is a horrible takedown defender. Barber will get back on track in this one.

I have Barber by TKO/KO here

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11 Casey O'Neill

vs

12 Wang Cong

Zak

A fight that has been rumored for almost a year now all started when Wang Cong called out Casey O'Neill after her win last February. Cong is one of the best strikers in the UFC and has yet to be taken down and should use her striking to not only beat O'Neill but likely take her out too.

Cong by TKO

Matt

This fight is bound to happen, right?? It makes sense for both fighters, who are trying to make their way up the ranks but need another fight in order to do that. O'Neil has lost two of her last three fights, with her win not being very dominant. Cong, on the other hand, has won two of her last three and holds a striking advantage in my eyes. I think the layoff O'Neil has had (last fight was August 2024) will get to her against an active fighter like Cong.

I would have Cong by decision here.

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13 Eduarda Moura

vs

Gabriella Fernandes

[Winner Fights

10 Miranda Maverick]

Zak

Two very strong and grapple-friendly women battling for a spot around the Top 10 of the division. Moura's style is much more ground-heavy, and she seems to be much more active and willing to expend energy in her fights, which I believe will be the determining factor in a razor-close fight.

Moura by Split Decision

Matt

This would be a fantastic fight to watch stylistically. Moura and Fernandes are both great grapplers who will likely take it to the ground as soon as possible. I do think Fernandes has the better resume, which will help her in terms of experience against high-level fighters in the octagon. I think Fernandes has a slight edge on the feet too, which will help open up the takedown.

It's very close, but I would have Fernandes by decision here.

That means Fernandes' next opportunity would come against Miranda Maverick. This is a fight I could see going the distance, but being a brawl to the very end. Both are ground-first kind of fighters, but I could see this matchup being a surprising striking battle. With that said, Fernandes should be able to handle Maverick.

I would have Fernandes by decision here.

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14 J.J. Aldrich

vs

Kaitlyn Cerminara

Zak

Two very good strikers are here looking to get closer to a Top-10 fight. Aldrich has a bit of a striking edge to me, but Cerminara's game is a bit more well-rounded, so if the fight does change levels, I can see Kaitlyn winning out in a very close decision.

Cerminara by Unanimous Decision

Matt

Kaitlyn Cerminara has had some tough fights lately, including top-tier fighters like Maycee Barber and Manon Fiorot. So, when it comes to a clash between fighters who have a very similar game, experience is everything. Aldrich does not have that just yet, causing me to believe that Cerminara will have an edge in a crucial fight.

I would have Cerminara by TKO/KO here.

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15 Luana Carolina

vs

Michelle Montague (-185)

Zak

At 6-0 in promotions like PFL and Bellator, Michelle Montague is coming into the UFC with a lot of hype and immediately getting a crack at the Top 15. Montague's jiu-jitsu is too nasty, and I believe she will make a stunning debut, likely not getting out of the first round.

Montague by Submission

Matt

It has not gone well for fighters who are coming into the UFC with other promotion experience lately, but Michelle Montague is a different breed in my mind. She is a killer on the ground, with her last 5 fights being won by submission. This is a good start for Montague in the UFC and a great opportunity for Carolina, but Montague will run away with this one.

I have Montague by submission here

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Jamey-Lyn Horth (-210)

vs

Tereza Bleda

Zak

A really good matchup for both women, with a slight size advantage for the underdog. Tereza Bleda has a 5-inch reach advantage and is 2 inches taller than her opponent, and I think that is good enough for me to pick her despite being the underdog.

Jamey-Lyn Horth by Unanimous Decision

Matt

I think this fight could be a little underwhelming. Neither Horth nor Bleda are great finishers, which leads me to believe this could be one of those fights that are close, but no real damage is done. Bleda also has not fought since June of 2023, which is an extremely long time outside the octagon.

I have Horth by decision here.

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Veronica Hardy (-550)

vs

Brogan Walker

Zak

Brogan Walker has been away from the Octagon for over 2 years due to a knee injury. Walker will look to come back with a roar, but Veronica Hardy is a savage. Hardy will put a pace on Walker that will be enough to beat most women, especially if they have ring rust on them.

Veronica Hardy by TKO

Matt

With both fighters coming off a loss, this will be a great macthup to get back on the ranked-fight track. I am a big fan of Hardy's game. She always makes her fights entertaining and has that one-punch ability if she doesn't get hit first. Meanwhile, Walker is also a fun striker to watch, but has lost three of her last five fights. Hardy might make this one quick

I have Hardy by TKO/KO here

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Mellissa Gatto

vs

Dione Barbosa

Zak

Dione Barbosa has some really good grappling and is one fight away from a real Top-15 matchup. On the other hand, Gatto has been working on finding her groove after losing 2 of her last 3 fights. The winner of this one should probably get someone around the 15-mark.

Dione Barbosa by Unanimous Decision

Matt

Coming off a huge win last time out, Melissa Gatto is one of the better unranked fighters in the division in my eyes. Going up against a fighter like Dione Barbosa, who is in a similar spot, will be a great statement fight and give whoever wins a ranked opponent next. Barbosa is no slouch, but Gatto should be able to punch her right out of the octagon.

I would have Gatto by TKO/KO here ___________________________________

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We already did this for the Middleweights, Lightweights, and Featherweights, so if you have not checked that out, go read! UFC Matchmaking Every Wednesday.

-Z.D.

-Matt Hylen