Top 5 Challengers in UFC Women's Bantamweight Division Today

Ronda Rousey is the Queen of Mean.

Her reign as the UFC women's bantamweight champion is one of glory, guts and undeniable domination.

However, in a sport bubbling over with talented fighters from all corners of the globe, a champion's tenure is never a sure bet.

Instead, scintillating titleholders like Rousey are forced stand their ground and power through the waves of hungry contenders that crash upon MMA's beachfront.

It's a life of violence and sometimes ultimate peril, but it comes with the territory, especially for a champion who welcomes the adversity.

With that said, in accordance with the evolution of the women's division, here are the top five challengers currently clawing their way toward Rousey's doorstep.

*Cat Zingano is not included in this list

Holly Holm

When a fighter with Holly Holm's overwhelming striking ability breaks onto the MMA scene, people begin to take notice.

When she gets signed by the UFC, people begin to salivate.

When injuries derail her promotional debut, the anticipation nearly doubles.

Holm is going to be one of the most dangerous knockout artists on the roster when she finally gets her UFC career on the road.

She'll have to fend off lesser wolves in order to hone her skills before challenging anyone in the division's Top Five. However, with an unparalleled boxing background and the work ethic to fortify her efforts, the undefeated southpaw should have no trouble moving up the ranks in 2015. 

Miesha Tate

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Like it or not, Miesha Tate is still one of the very best fighters in the women's bantamweight division, and she could very well be fighting for another UFC title in late 2015.

It seems silly considering Tate lost in devastating fashion to Ronda Rousey on two separate occasions (once in the UFC). However, if Cupcake continues to win fights, the UFC may have no other choice—sort of like Renan Barao and Urijah Faber's recent championship quarrels.

In any case, Tate is currently on a two-fight win streak and slated to take on former top contender Sara McMann at UFC 183 in January.

If she finishes McMann in fashion, she would essentially separate herself from the pack, forcing the UFC to grant her at least a No. 1 contender's bout. 

Sarah Kaufman

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Not a lot of UFC fans are aware of Sarah Kaufman's potential.

Having only lost to arguably the two best submission experts in the history of women's MMA (Ronda Rousey and Marloes Coenen), the former Strikeforce champion rarely meets a challenge she can't overcome.

Her 1-0-1 UFC record is nothing to write home about, but Kaufman is a polished veteran who is only going to get better on the big stage.

She has beaten a who's who of female fighters, including Alexis Davis twice, Miesha Tate and Liz Carmouche (who all currently rank within the division's Top 10), so it's logical that Kaufman can maintain her Octagon success, evolve as a grappler and hone her craft before challenging for a title toward the end of 2015 or early in 2016. 

Bethe Correia

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Equipped with a ferocious in-cage demeanor and an obsession with being the one to defeat champion Ronda Rousey, Bethe Correia is truly a top contender to keep an eye on.

With devastating power and precision in both of her hands, the Brazilian is capable of outstriking and outhustling any opponent willing to stand and deliver.

While that combat pedigree isn't enough to get past the champ's near-perfect ground game, it's a good start.

If she can evolve her grappling capabilities, her power punching and devastating clinch game would flourish that much more. 

Jessica Eye

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As the quintessential wild card in the UFC women's bantamweight division, Jessica "Evil" Eye could be on her way to becoming a recognizable star.

Not for nothing, but the 28-year-old is literally knocking her opponents' ears off.

Sure, she only holds one victory inside of the Octagon. However, when you realize that her other two fights were a split-decision loss to Alexis Davis and a split-decision victory over Sarah Kaufman (which was later ruled a no contest when Eye tested positive for marijuana), her divisional stake looks much more promising.

In other words, she could very well be 3-0 and in discussion for a potential title fight.

Instead, Eye will have to continue to grind opponents down to dust in order to climb the proverbial ladder in 2015.

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