The title of “Baddest Motherf*cker” recently decided between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 came to a conclusion when Masvidal defeated Diaz via doctor’s stoppage after the third round in the main event at Madison Square Garden.
The much-anticipated fight lived up to expectations up until the stoppage, after Diaz spoke the BMF title into existence in his initial call-out of Masvidal. Since then, many MMA fighters have tried to stake their claim as the BMF. However, all of them have come from only one dimension: the male division. One would assume the BMF should entail those of both worlds (male & female). But this isn’t the reality, so let’s see the top candidates to achieve BMF status in the women’s division.
- Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey
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Rowdy exploded in the UFC scene after winning multiple fights and title defense in quick and impressive fashion. While her time on top was short (compared to a ‘domination’), what she did for herself and the sport was historical, and she definitely has created a legacy that women are capably holding up. It was because she could both talk the talk and walk the walk in UFC. She put women in the spotlight in a violent sport — and that’s badass.
- Weili “Magnum” Zhang
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Currently the women’s strawweight champion, Zhang is everything her nickname entails — she will end you with conviction. She blistered up the UFC ranks and absolute demolished another scary fighter, Jessica “Pile Driver” Andrade, whom I initially wanted to include in this list, until I rewatched their fight. Magnum was never afraid to initiate strikes and out-brawl Andrade, yet she did so with crisp and relentless strikes. It was a statement finish and wonder display of what BMF necessitates.
- Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko
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When you fight the “Bullet” it’s no different from receiving one itself. Valentina is known for her ruthless demeanor and equally ruthless onslaught. She is an expert in her counter-striking and wrestling. However, she doesn’t use it win points or close decisions, but rather uses her skills to completely dominate her opponent. It’s no secret most women fear her (including myself) and they know they can’t get caught up psyching themselves out when it’s time to fight. The Bullet is characteristically covered in blood after all of her fights, but what should scare isn’t that she embraces it, it’s that usually it’s not even her own blood.
Any one of these ladies could claim the BMF title, but it is only a thought for now as they would need to lay it all on the line against one another. Only time will tell who will make it to the top.