At the end of each year we do a Names Who Made News column. It is as simple as the title describes, taking 25 women in MMA and the fitness divisions who made news for one reason or another and accomplished something or things. We compile a large list and then with the assistance of a number of people, narrow that list to 25 and then rank those 25. With it being as simple as the title, we will spare you a long introduction and get to the list.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/Jeff Binns
25. Janet Layug
Always among the top competitors in the bikini division, Janet brought her best to date in 2018. She kicked off the year taking second place at the Arnold Classi and followed that up with another second place at the Arnold Classic Australia. This of course made her one of the favorites heading into the Olympia. At the Olympia she finished third, but could easily have been first or second in possibly the best Olympia class to date. Janet ended the year wining the Shawn Rhoden Classic Philippines Pro. As we begin 2019 Janet is again a favorite in any contest she enters.
Photo Credit: Dan Ray
24. Jill Blondin
Jill Blondin started the year off in the physique division and was doing quite well, including a second place finish at Champions of Power and Grace. So she was already having a good year when she made the switch to bodybuilding for the Chicago Pro. Obviously a wise decision as she ended up taking first place against a very good field of competitors. Whatever the reason for her switch, it initially looked like a wise decision. The next test would come at the Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro. At that show it was cemented, she took sixth place against the best of the best which meant Jill was one of the best bodybuilders in the world. Leading into 2019 with it appearing she found her division, 2019 could be a big year for her.
Photo Credit: Sachiko Hotaka
23. Miyuu Yamamoto
Miyuu Yamamoto entered 2018 with a record of 1-3, nothing to write home about, but the potential was there. 2018 was a crazy year for Miyuu. She won a decision from Saori Ishioka at RIZIN 11 to get the year off on a good start. Then tragedy struck with the death of her legendary brother Kid Yamamoto. Just after that, in a very emotional scene Miyuu won a decision from Andy Nguyen, who had previously beaten Miyuu. She then ended the year with three wins in three fights beating Mika Nagano at RIZIN 14. 2018 was a great year for Miyuu fighting wise but a tragic year personally. But she showed in 2018 she is capable of doing things in the sport making 2019 one to look forward to.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/Jeff Binns
22. Nadia Wyatt
There has possibly never been a better one year improvement made by a competitor than that of Nadia Wyatt from 2017 to 2018. Some of her placings in 2017 included 12th, 15th and 16th. So for observers, there probably were not the highest of expectations for 2018. But Nadia basically said "screw your expectations" taking first place at the St. Louis Pro, looking absolutely amazing. In that one show she went from not much in expectations to suddenly seen as an Olympia threat. At the Olympia she showed she is for real taking third place. Sometimes you can look at photos and see some small improvements if you know what you are looking for, in Nadia's case, the improvements were not small and they were so easy to see. 2019 means another off season to get even better and there is a legit chance Nadia can take it all this year.
Photo Credit: JM Manion
21. Elisa Pecini
2017 was a pretty good year for Elisa Pecini so there was some decent expectations for 2018, but Elisa exceeded those expectations. She took a couple second place finishes as well as first place at both the Pittsburgh Pro and Brazil Pro. After Brazil she went on to the Olympia and competed in what I earlier said may have been the toughest group ever in the division. She took fourth in the Olympia, impressive enough, but in a class where the top five all could have been placed in any order, she made it known she was here and someone to be reckoned with. Along with that she also created a large fan base for herself, made apparent by her being voted Bikini Competitor of the Year on our site.
Photo Credit: Invicta FC/Dave Mandel
20. Jinh Yu Frey
2017 ended on a sour note for Jinh Yu Frey, losing to Seo Hee Ham. But Jinh is a confident fighter and that did not keep her down so when Invicta FC decided they needed to create a new atomweight champ, Jinh was a good choice to compete in that bout. In July she took a very close decision from Minna Grussander to win the prestigious belt. However there was some controversy with some feeling Grussander deserved the decision. So Jinh gave her a rematch in December and while the fight was again close it was Frey walking away still the champion cementing herself as one of the best at 105 pounds. As fans continue to ask the UFC to create an atomweight division, Frey is one of the fighters fans are using to show the talent in the division. For now though, Jinh is the Invicta champion that Invicta fans always are excited to watch.
Photo Credit: Dan Ray
19. Natalia Abraham Coelho
After having been competing in figure in 2017, Natalia Abraham Coelho ended the year switching to physique and taking first place in one final show and immediately big things were expected of her and for her in the division in 2018. Those big things happened through her hard work. She started the year taking second at the Arnold Classic and that cemented the fact that the switch in divisions was smart as she was right away one of the best in the world in the division. She followed the Arnold up with first place finishes at the Atlantic Coast Pro and Arizona Pro and all the talk leading into the Olympia was that it would come down to Natalia and Shanique Grant. Shanique got the win and Natalia took second but it was close and Natalia looked amazing. At such a young age, which the way she continues to improve and love for what she does, Natalia has a long future in front of her and the potential to be one of the all-time greats when she's done.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/Dan Ray
18. Nickie Chartrand
2017 wasn't the best of years for Nicki Chartrand. I mean, she looked great on stage as you'd expect, but the placings weren't what she'd probably have been hoping for. So heading into 2018 she probably wasn't super high on anyone's list to have a big year. But those of us who thought that way were greatly underestimating Nicki and what she's capable of. Nicki started the year off winning the Hawaii Pro. Now, if you wanted to be cynical you could say it was a small field, let's see how she does in a big field. Well that was answered when at the Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro, with the best of the best in women's bodybuilding, Nicki took fourth place, finishing above some of those women who were high on the list of people expected to have a big year. In 2018 Nicki showed she's one of the best bodybuilders in the world and if she improves this year like she did last year, who knows what she can achieve this year.
Photo Credit: Adrian Fullbore Bradford
17. Ryall Graber
Ryall Graber doing well in pro shows is nothing new, she's been doing that for years. Ryall Graber winning pro shows is also nothing new. Also, Ryall Graber looking amazing is nothing new. So her doing those things this year are pretty much to be expected so while noteworthy, it's basically status quo for the most part. Yet, still something seemed noteworthy. What that was was that somehow after all these years, Ryall found a way to possibly look better than she ever has. I'm no routine expert, I rely on others to help me know what constitutes a good routine, but I can look at physiques and know what I am looking at. Ryall in fact improved her Olympia placing as well from fourth to second place. Hopefully this is the beginning of people truly understanding just what Ryall has accomplished up to this point in her career.
Photo Credit: Invicta FC/Dave Mandel
16. Kaitlin Young
Kaitlin Young falls into that "pioneer" group in women's MMA. Kaitlin was doing it before it was popular. She had faced anyone who was anyone. But in 2015 decided to step away from MMA and while competing still in kickboxing, took on the role of matchmaker for Invicta FC. She excelled at that in part due to being able to relate so well to the fighters. But in 2018 she realized she still had more to offer the sport and stepped aside from the matchmaking role to return to the sport. She started by taking on highly regarded Reina Miura at RIZIN 12 in august and she showed she's still got it, taking a decision in that bout. Then she returned to the Invicta cage, quickly defeating late replacement Sarah Patterson in November. Her "comeback" being off to a great start, one would assume she's definitely a top contender to earning a title shot and fans who like exciting fights can look forward to more of Kaitlin in the cage in 2019.
Photo Credit: Invicta FC/Dave Mandel
15. Felicia Spencer
After three wins to start her pro career, it was obvious Felicia Spencer was going to face tougher competition in 2018 than she had in 2017, so just how good she was, remained to be seen. That question was answered, she is really good. She started out by defeated highly touted prospect Akeela Al-Hameed in January before moving on to face Helena Kolesnyk in July and defeating her in round two. Next up she was to face Pam Sorenson at Invicta FC 32 with the winner being crowned the new featherweight champion. Felicia not only one the bout, but the last remaining question was answered. What would she do when faced with adversity. She faced that adversity against a tough Sorenson by recovering and then finishing her late in round four. With the future of the 145 pound division in the UFC uncertain, if they intend to grow it, Felicia has to be one of the athletes they look to bring in.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/Dany Ray
14. Margie Martin
Margie Martin took 2017 off from competing, after back to back years of winning the top crown in women's bodybuilding. But if you follow her at all on social media then you saw she was still training just as hard and looking just as incredible. So returning in 2018 there was no reason to believe she wouldn't be just as great as always. Her return was at the Toronto Pro where Margie did what Margie does, she won first place. So next up was the Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro, back on stage competing for and with the best of the best. This time she narrowly missed out on first place but taking an impressive second place and it was clear Margie is still one of if not the best female bodybuilders in the world. While I can't pretend to know Margie's plans for competing, I can say for certain that assuming she's on stage this year, Margie will be great as ever and wanting to reclaim her crown means she will likely be even better than before.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/JM Manion
13. Monique Jones
Monique, always a favorite amongst women's bodybuilding fans, has been off the stage since 2015. But she's still been involved, training and prepping other competitors, so it was clear she still loved being involved. Luckily for fans, she decided to return in 2018 at the Romania Muscle Pro and not only had she not lost a step, she looked better than ever and took first place. One of the great ambassador's for the sport, it's good just to have her back, but looking like she looked on that stage, she's not only back but Monique will be a contender for the sport's top prize assuming she's going to continue on stage this year.
Photo Credit: Invicta FC/Dave Mandel
12. Virna Jandiroba
Virna Jandiroba was on top of everyone's Top Prospect list. She was undefeated and quickly submitting her opponents. But until December 2017, American fans were not familiar with her. But in that fight she defeated Amy Montenegro and American fans not knew. She was quickly put into a title bout with Mizuki Inoue in March for the Invicta FC strawweight title and emerged victorious via split decision. After that she faced a super tough opponent in Janaisa Morandin in September and just how good she is was revealed when she won in round 2. While all the attention seems to go the UFC, with Virna, Invicta may just have the best strawweight in the world.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/JM Manion
11. Lauralie Chapados
In 2017 Lauralie Chapados started knocking on the door but in 2018 she kicked that door wide open and staked her claim as one of the elite. The year began with a first place finish at the Toronto Pro. That was the first sign that it could be a big year for her. She followed that up by assuring people it was going to be a big year as the won both the Chicago Pro and Tampa Pro. She went in to the Olympia as a real threat to take the crown. As stated earlier, this may have been the best Bikini Olympia field ever and in that field she took second place and cemented herself as one of the best and possibly the best. She ended the year taking second at the Shawn Rhoden Phillippines Pro. 2018 was a huge year for Lauralie, to some, she came out of nowhere. Now that she is firmly on the map and clearly one of the elite, it will be exciting to see how she follows that up this year.
Photo Credit: Sean Nelson
10. Candice Lewis-Carter
Anyone who has followed the sport knows Candice Lewis-Carter is among the best and most popular women in the figure division, in fact she is those things amongst the women in all divisions. So the expectations for Candice each year are the same each year. Those expectations are win shows and compete for the top crown. But with that perception or expectation or whatever the word you want to use, comes an increased difficulty to live up to those expectations others have for you and that you have for yourself. Candice however each year lives up to them and exceeds them as far as physique and improvements. This year Candice started the year taking first place at the Arnold Classic. That was followed up by a second place finish at the Olympia amongst a great field of competitors. While not the first place she had hoped for, there were some who thought she could have or should have won it. That's the reality of a subjective scoring sport. But regardless, Candice continued her run of amazing accomplishments and being among the elite in all divisions.
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9. Ilima-lei Macfarlane
Even though undefeated and even though becoming Bellator's 125 champ in late 2017, not everyone was aware of how good Ilima-lei Macfarlane. She had not yet crossed over to the casual fan. However in 2018 that changed. Everyone became aware. She first scored an impressive submission win over Alejandra Lara, a bout where people really started to jump on board and take notice. After that, Bellator went to Hawaii, Ilima-lei was the main event, the hometown fighter, all the advertising was around her, all the hype was around her and the fan support was incredible. Already there was pressure on her and that's before mentioning her opponent being Valerie Letourneau. With all that going on, she went out and put on one of her best performances in securing the third round submission. For those who think it's all about the UFC, Ilima-lei has shown that not all the best are in the UFC, as she is one of the best and is the Bellator world champion.
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8. Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko has been beating opponents her whole career. She has only three losses and two of them are to Amanda Nunes. Hardcore fans ranked her as one of the best pound for pound females, but for her to reach that with casual fans, she needed a defining moment and in 2018 she got that moment. First she started in February destroying Priscila Cachoeira before getting to fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant flyweight title. Valentina won a one-sided decision over the former strawweight champ and got that moment where casual fans realized that were watching a special fighter. In 2019 as she defends that title, it is hard to imagine who could actually take that crown from her.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/Jeff Binns
7. Shanique Grant
There is no physique like the physique Shanique Grant possesses. It is equally unique and impressive. Which is why she is always winning and was always considered a favorite for the Olympia. Unfortunately, she was forced to withdraw in 2016 and 2017. In 2018 she again took first place at the Arnold Classic and everyone hoped she made it to that Olympia stage. She made it and as most predicted, she won the crown and cemented what others already felt, Shanique was the best in the world in the physique division. When you look back to what we were told was expected of the division when it started and the look they wanted, they were basically describing Shanique. With a bevy of solid contenders, Shanique will have to be at her best again in 2019 but anyone who has followed her knows that her best is what she expects and delivers.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/Dan Ray
6. Susanna Jacobs
It's not often a person who started the year as an amateur makes this list and never has one ranked this high, but Susanna Jacobs earned this ranking. For starters she earned her pro card in Chicago and as part of that had to turn around and make her pro debut on the same stage the same weekend. To win your pro card and then have to immediately compete on stage with elite pros can be intimidating, but if you look at photos, she sure as hell did not seem intimidated and in fact finished an incredibly impressive 4th place. Also that enabled her to compete at the Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro. On stage with the best in the world. Normally 13th place isn't anything that stands out, but 13th place in the top show in the sport just months after you were still an amateur is incredible. Susanna entered 2018 as an amateur and exited 2018 with people calling her one of the best and with expectations for bigger and bigger things.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/Jeff Binns
5. Whitney Jones
With the retirement of Oksana Grishina, there was question as to who would "take over" as the queen of the fitness division. One of the popular names mentioned was Whitney Jones. Whitney won the Arnold Classic and made herself the clear front runner but at the Olympia, she made it clear that that title belonged to her. While winning shows and being at the top was not knew to her, what was new was an improved overall package. As mentioned above, I am not the one to give opinion on fitness routines, I rely on others for that. But I can judge a physique and it was clear Whitney had made improvements and was rewarded for it. Outside of the stage, Whitney also made a statement as well, showing herself to be a great spokesperson and representative of the division. Going forward, while it will be hard to repeat the run Oksana did and Adela Garcia before her, Whitney does have all the requirements to do so and have a long run on top.
Photo Credit: NPC News Online/Jeff Binns
4. Cydney Gillon
There may be no one who is easier to root for in all the divisions than Cydney Gillon. She goes about her business, doesn't seek attention and just does what she loves. Cydney really broke out in 2016 and then in 2017 won the Olympia and took over the top spot in the figure division. In 2018 she had to defend the crown instead of chase it. She started the year with two second place finishes, at the Arnold Classic and Arnold Classic Australia. But, she was not resigned to being second best and after winning the Arizona Pro, headed to the Olympia. The figure division might be the most competitive in the sport right now which tells you what kind of competition she would be facing. On that stage with the best, Cydney walked away once again the winner of the Figure Olympia. Two Olympia's in a row already puts her in the discussion of the best to ever do it and she has plenty of time to move higher and higher on that list. As her emergence the past couple years has shown, she is totally capable of doing just that.
Photo Credit: Ludwig Araujo
3. Angelica Teixeira
If ever the word "phenom" applied to a competitor it might be Angelica Teixeira. Her first year as a pro she was on the Olympia stage and the next year she was second place in the Olympia. From that show on, she has been unstoppable, winning every show she has been in. In 2018 she started off winning the Arnold Classic before heading to the Olympia. In perhaps the toughest Bikini Olympia class to date, Angelica would have to be at her best, and she was just that, at her best and once again walked away with the crown. To top it off she then went and won the Asia Grand Prix. With her success the past couple years, we need to start mentioning Angelica Teixeira's name in the conversation for best ever.
Photo Credit: Mike Yurkovic
2. Alina Popa
After a couple years of one of the best bodybuilders in the sport and probably the most popular, Alina Popa took a couple years off the stage. Returning in 2018 there were no guarantees of what we would see other than it would be the best she was capable of. Could she still hang with the best, was it a last hurrah? She answered that quickly by winning the Tampa Pro and looking as good as ever. After that would be the Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro, the best of the best on one stage. Winning Tampa was one thing, but where we should stack up with the best? The answer to that question was that she would end up right on top. Alina finished first place against the strong field of competitors, not only reclaiming a spot amongst the best bodybuilders in the world but becoming the best bodybuilder in the world. Where she goes from here we do not know, only that fans hope wherever she goes from here it includes being on stage.
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1. Amanda Nunes
Amanda Nunes was already considered one of the best in the sport of MMA. Heading into 2018 she had amassed a 15-4 record and beaten many top names. But in 2018 she made her claim that she may be the best ever. First she defended her UFC bantamweight title in a destruction of Raquel Pennington. To follow that up though she would move up a division and face featherweight champ Cris Cyborg. At 20-1, many considered Cyborg to be the best ever, so Amanda was coming in an underdog and few gave her a chance. However Amanda knew she could win and not only did she win, she knocked out her opponent in under one minute. While the term "Goat" is often overused, Amanda has staked a deserving claim that she may be the "goat".
