As we pass the halfway point of the 2024 UFC season, the promotion's talented women's divisions feature several standout contenders likely to make title runs in the coming months.
With many key matchups left on the schedule, North Carolina sportsbooks see multiple possibilities for new champions being crowned. Fans anticipate exhilarating fights as these elite competitors vie for divisional supremacy. Let's look at who is poised to leave a lasting mark in the second half of a thrilling 2024 campaign in Las Vegas.
Sosha Sullivan Seeks Another Title Shot
California's Sosha Sullivan enters the late stages of 2024 with renewed vigor for another chance at bantamweight gold following her disappointing loss to Casey Kenney last November. The gritty and accomplished Sullivan quickly bounced back from that setback with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Alexa Grasso at UFC 275 in June.
Now at age 32 and realizing her championship window is tightening, Sullivan knows she must capitalize on every opportunity. Her impending clash with surging title contender Julianna Peña at UFC 282 in December has classic written all over it. North Carolina sportsbooks have installed Sullivan as a slim -120 favorite, but Peña's dangerous grappling presents a stern test. With a 9-3 UFC record and a desire to thrill fans, count on Sullivan leaving it all in the cage on December 29th at T-Mobile Arena.
Zhang Weili Seeks Regained Glory
The former UFC strawweight queen, China's Zhang Weili has looked nothing short of dominant since dropping her title to "Thug" Rose Namajunas via stunning head kick knockout in April 2021. Weili has since racked up three straight impressive victories over top contenders Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Nina Nunes, and Carla Esparza to earn another championship opportunity.
She is set to challenge current dynamic champ Namajunas in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 284 in February 2025 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Zhang brings crisp, technical striking and aggressive volume punching that allows her to overwhelm opponents. If she defeats Namajunas again, she will reclaim her spot atop the 115-pound mountain.
Aspen Ladd Guns for Gold
Once considered a future superstar, California's Aspen Ladd has endured ups and downs across her nearly five years in the UFC. She now may finally get her first crack at gold later this year. The 27-year-old bantamweight climbed her way back into contention with back-to-back TKO finishes over division staples Macy Chiasson and Yana Kunitskaya last year.
This earned undefeated phenom Ladd a date with reigning 135-pound queen Amanda "Lioness" Nunes at the landmark UFC 300 event on October 21st at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Nunes presents the tallest task in MMA having not lost since 2014, but Ladd's powerful wrestling and nasty ground striking give her a fighter's chance at the massive upset. She has shown marked improvements in recent outings and carries significant physicality advantages that cannot be ignored.
While Nunes remains a sizable -350 favorite per most North Carolina sportsbooks, count on Ladd to make it competitive and set herself up for more big showcases in 2025 with a gutsy showing.
