Claressa Shields secured a historic victory as she won the first women’s MMA bout to be held in Saudi Arabia, on her return to the octagon for the first time since 2021. Can Savannah Marshall follow suit?
While the welterweight world title fight between defending WBO champion Sandy Ryan and challenger Mikaela Mayer produced plenty of unwanted headlines during the buildup, fans in New York City were treated to a Fight of the Year candidate when the opening bell rang at MSG.
Mayer prevailed by a razor-thin 10-round majority decision, utilizing her jab, movement and ring IQ to claim her second divisional title. However, the former unified super featherweight queen had to fend off tough resistance from her English opponent who pressured her from bell to bell.
Opinions were split on who deserved the decision, but no one could make a serious complaint about Mayer prevailing by a slim margin. Both fighters were well-matched and the action between these pound-for-pound entrants was of the highest calibre.
As a result of their stellar performances, both fighters take a two-spot leap in the pound-for-pound ratings. Mayer vaults from No. 9 to No. 7 while Ryan moves from No. 12 to No. 10.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, former Mayer opponent Alycia Baumgardner returned to action against Delfine Persoon. The undisputed super featherweight champ was winning comfortably when a clash of heads cut Persoon above the eye in round four, resulting in a no-contest.
Baumgardner, who was removed from the ratings last year after testing positive for a banned substance, remains on the outside looking in.
Women’s pound-for-pound rankings: The Sporting News’ top 7
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Movement (October 3, 2024) |
| 1 | Claressa Shields | 15-0 (3 KOs) | – |
| 2 | Katie Taylor | 23-1 (6 KOs) | – |
| 3 | Amanda Serrano | 47-2-1 (31 KOs) | – |
| 4 | Seniesa Estrada | 26-0 (9 KOs) | – |
| 5 | Chantelle Cameron | 19-1 (8 KOs) | – |
| 6 | Natasha Jonas | 15-2-1 (9 KOs) | – |
| 7 | Mikaela Mayer | 20-2 (5 KOs) | +2 |
