UFC
Breaking down Pannie Kianzad’s bantamweight division: Who’s most likely to fight for the vacant title?
UFC bantamweight. Photo via Instagram (@ketlenvieiraufc) (@panniekianzad) and USA Today Sports
When dominant UFC double champion Amada Nunes retired this past Saturday, the women’s bantamweight division became more interesting than in a long time, with a bunch of hungry top fighters that potentially could clash for the title over the next months.
Let’s take a closer look at the top contenders in the UFC bantamweight division!
Pannie Kianzad
Pannie Kianzad will be back in July to fight Ketlen Vieira. Photo via Instagram (@panniekianzad)
- Record: 16-6
- Next fight: Ketlen Vieira on July 22
Sweden’s Pannie Kianzad is potentially one win away from a title shot.
If ”Banzai” beats Ketlen Vieira in London on July 22, and especially if she does so in dominant fashion, she might very well be fighting for the title next.
The Swedish 31-year-old is 5-4 in the UFC and comes from a win against fellow Swede Lina Länsberg in April 2022.
Yana Santos
Yana Kunitskaya. Photo: USA Today Sports
- Record: 14-7
- Next fight: Not known
Yana Santos has back-to-back losses against Irene Aldana and Holly Holm and is currently not booked for a fight.
Of all the contenders on this list, she might be the one who’s most far away from a title shot right now.
Irene Aldana
Irene Aldana (left) and Amanda Nunes (right). Photo via UFC (Twitter)
- Record: 14-7
- Next fight: Not known
Mexican striker Irene Aldana fell short as she challenged Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight title this past Saturday and is therefore pretty far from another shot at the title.
Ketlen Vieira
Photo via Instagram (@ketlenvieiraufc)
- Record: 13-3
- Next fight: Pannie Kianzad on July 22
Just like her next opponent Pannie Kianzad, Brazil’s Ketlen Vieira is potentially just one win away from a title shot.
Vieria has six decision wins (three by split decision) in her seven promotional victories and comes from a loss against Raquel Pennington.
Holly Holm
Holly Holm. Ohoto: Amber Searls – USA TODAY Sports
- Record: 15-6
- Next fight: Mayra Bueno Silva on July 15
Former bantamweight champion Holly Holm has fought for the title twice, successfully winning an upset bout against superstar Ronda Rousey in 2016 and losing via KO against Amanda Nunes in 2019.
Since she is a high profile fighter in the division, Holm could possibly be seeing herself fight for the title a third time if she defeas Mayra Bueno Silva in her next fight in July.
Raquel Pennington
Photo via Instagram (@raquel_pennington)
- Record: 15-8
- Next fight: Not known
Raquel Pennington is riding a five-fight winning streak and was scheduled to rematch Irene Aldana on May 20. When Aldana took the UFC 289 title bout on short-notice, due to Julianna Pena’s injury, Pennington served as a backup for the fight.
A possible scenario is that UFC books Pennington against former champion Pena for the vacant bantamweight strap, both due to her rankings and her willingness to be the backup for UFC 289.
Julianna Pena
Julianna Pena celebrates her victory by submission against Amanda Nunes during UFC 269 at T-Mobile Arena. Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports
- Record: 11-5
- Next fight: Not known
Former Julianna Pena was supposed to clash with Amanda Nunes for a third time but was forced to withdraw due to a broken rib.
The 33-year-old could very well be fighting for the vacant strap next.
Read more: What Is The Best UFC Division? We Have The Answer!