MMA World Women's Pound-for-Pound Rankings

It's been four years since Gina Carano and Julie Kedzie lit up the EliteXC cage in the bout that pushed women's MMA over the mainstream threshold.

Since that bout, fans have been chomping at the bit for more female action. Unfortunately, the stable of talent isn't wide enough to meet the demand.

Strikeforce has done a tremendous job in turning some of the world's top female fighters into superstars. Carano and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos headlined a major MMA card in August 2009 that featured big names like Fabricio Werdum, Gilbert Melendez, Gegard Mousasi, and Renato Sobral.

Sarah Kaufman and Roxanne Modafferi were featured in the co-main event of the Strikeforce Challengers card in July 2010. The bout made ESPN's SportsCenter Top 10 after Kaufman delivered a third-round power bomb to Modafferi to pick up the knockout.

While Strikeforce brandishes the most recognized talent, there are a handful of world class female fighters scattered throughout various organizations.

It is time to pay homage to the names listed above and the rest of the top female fighters.

Here are the top 10 pound-for-pound female fighters in the world.

10) Rin Nakai

Rin Nakai is a physical specimen.

Riding a 10-0 record, Nakai is quickly establishing herself as the most highly-touted prospect in all of women's MMA.

Height could be an issue against western opponents. While Nakai boasts an incredible muscular frame, she is barely five feet tall.

9) Roxanne Modafferi

Roxanne Modafferi went into highlight history after getting power bombed into the SportsCenter Top 10 by Sarah Kaufman.

The slippery slope continued at Cage Warriors 40, where Modafferi lost a unanimous decision to Rosi Sexton.

Can "The Happy Warrior" rebound from back-to-back losses?

8) Rosi Sexton

Since losing to Zoila Gurgel at Bellator 23, Rosi Sexton has picked up two straight victories, including a win over former Strikeforce welterweight title contender Roxanne Modafferi.

She is set to challenge Sheila Gaff on July 9 for the vacant Cage Warriors women's super flyweight title.

7) Tara LaRosa

Tara LaRosa is appreciated as a legend in women's MMA. It's unfortunate that she hasn't garnered the same mainstream notoriety as her peers.

With nearly a decade of professional experience, it seems that only hardcore fans recognize LaRosa as a world class talent.

She is coming off a submission win over Carina Damm at Shark Fights 14.

6) Miesha Tate

Miesha Tate defeated two women in one night to earn a shot at Marloes Coenen's Strikeforce welterweight title.

Unfortunately for Tate, she was forced out of the March 5 bout with a knee injury sustained during training.

After taking time to rest and heal from the injury, Tate is ready to get her first crack at Strikeforce gold. She is set to face Coenen on July 30.

5) Sarah Kaufman

Sarah Kaufman's undefeated streak and championship reign came to an end at Strikeforce: San Jose, where she was submitted in the third round by Marloes Coenen.

After the loss, Kaufman returned with a third round TKO victory over Megumi Yabushita on the AFC 5 card of the Armageddon Fighting Championships.

She is scheduled to make her Strikeforce return on July 22 against former welterweight title contender Liz Carmouche.

4) Marloes Coenen

Marloes Coenen pulled out some Anderson Silva magic at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.

After taking a three-round pounding from former U.S. Marine Liz Carmouche, Coenen managed to latch on a triangle choke in the fourth round to retain her welterweight title.

She is expected to face top contender Miesha Tate on July 30.

3) Megumi Fujii

Many consider Megumi Fujii the Fedor Emelianenko of women's MMA. Before losing a highly-contested split decision to Zoila Gurgel at Bellator 34, Fujii had maintained an undefeated professional record of 22-0.

The loss to Gurgel left a smudge on Fujii's perfect record and a bad taste in the mouths of many fans.

She rebounded immediately after the loss with a unanimous decision victory over Emi Fujino at Sengoku: Soul of Fight in December 2010.

2) Zoila Gurgel

Lady Luck is on Zoila Gurgel's side.

In the Bellator Season 3 women's 115-pound tournament, Gurgel walked away with a couple of questionable split decision wins over Megumi Fujii and Jessica Aguilar.

Regardless of personal opinion, Gurgel earned the nods of the judges, and the win over Fujii helped her soar up the pound-for-pound rankings.

1) Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos

Strikeforce women's middleweight champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos is quite possibly the scariest woman alive. Her physical stature and natural athleticism is unrivaled.

Opponents don't come looking for Cyborg. Strikeforce goes looking for opponents.

With Cyborg riding a 10 fight win streak, fans are left with one question. Can anyone even present a decent challenge to this Brazilian phenom?

Strikeforce and Cyborg are currently in negotiations to settle a contract dispute.