Each week, I’ll highlight the women’s MMA prospects making noise on the regional scene. The goal is simple: to spotlight rising female fighters before they break onto the big stage.
Giulliany Perêa (3-0) – Atomweight – Shooto Brasil 133
Giulliany Perêa is back in Brazil after two fights with the all-female promotion Invicta FC. Already 3-0 as a professional, she is one of the top atomweights in the world. A multiple-time IMMAF medalist as an amateur, Perêa secured impressive wins over Paulina Wiśniewska, Hope Holmes, Alison Vargas, and Delphine Benouaich in her last amateur outing. Her only losses came to Bea Consuli and Aieza Bertolso, so nothing alarming there.
The transition to the professional ranks has gone smoothly for this grappling specialist, with three finishes in as many fights. This Friday, she faces Fabiana Silva (1-1), an opponent far below her level, and hopefully, Invicta FC can get back on track soon to provide Perêa with the type of competition that truly matches her talent.
Lana Karine (1-0) – Flyweight – Shooto Brasil 133
The sample size for Lana Karine is still very small, but she has already shown promise. She made her professional debut at the first MMA University event last April. After scoring a first-round rear-naked choke over Grazi Gouveia, who had striking experience despite also debuting in MMA. Karine built her amateur résumé under the SFT banner, going 5-0 with three finishes.
At just 22 years old and coming from a lesser-known gym, she is still an unknown quantity. I’m eager to see her in action this Friday against Ethiene Pereira (1-0). If Karine performs well, I’ll be able to say I told you so!
Mia Grawe (3-0) – Flyweight – Victory Fighting League: Clash of the Champions
This will be Mia Grawe’s first professional fight outside the Fury FC banner, as the 3-0 prospect headlines the VFL card in New York. Known as “Raw,” Grawe faces her toughest test yet in Bellator veteran Ashley Thiner (1-0).
She had a scare in her previous fight, initially being announced the loser due to a judging tabulation error against Kenia Martinez, though the result was later corrected to a split-decision win. Prior to that, the Houston native had finished both of her opponents, one by TKO and one by submission. Grawe is a physical fighter who can impose her strength inside the cage. At just 24 years old, she still has plenty of room to grow.
Nawira Ferreira (5-2) – Strawweight – SFT Outubro Rosa 8
SFT has assembled an all-female card for this Saturday. While the lineup lacks household names, the most recognizable fighter is Nawira Ferreira, a prospect I’m particularly fond of. Ferreira never shies away from challenges, which explains why her record might look modest at first glance: two losses already at just 23 years old. However, both defeats came against Natalia Alves and Lany Silva, two of Brazil’s top female prospects.
Fans saw her talent on full display in her last fight, where she defeated Marina Monteiro by unanimous decision as a +475 underdog. Ferreira’s strongest asset is her grappling, and she will face Pâmela Mara (6-4-1) in her SFT debut, looking to make the most of the opportunity.
Other notable women in action
Thunder Fight 52: IMMAF Pan-Am gold medalist Ana Vitória (2-2) returns against Beatriz Amaral (0-0). A slow start to her pro career, but at her age, she still has plenty of potential to grow.
UAE Warriors 64: Two up-and-coming vets, Amena Hadaya (5-4) and Samantha Jean-François (11-8), face off on the main card.
FFC 97 (Peru): DWCS alum Sandra Lavado (12-6) and RTU fighter Paula Luna (6-3) are both scheduled against subpar opposition.
Shooto Brasil 133: WMMA takes the main event as Julia Pareja (5-1) challenges Isabella Araujo (3-1) for the vacant Atomweight belt.
JCK FN 108 : One FC veteran Jung Yoon Choi (10-4) meets Vladlena Petrova (4-1).
AEON FC 1: IMMAF veterans Lina Hammouche (0-0) and Ghita Chafik (0-0) make their pro debuts against each other.
SFT Outubro Rosa 8: An all-female card with Xiomara Piriz (14-5) challenging Bianca Sattelmayer (11-13) for the SFT Strawweight title in the main event. Piriz captured her most recent win and the Samurai Fight House 115-pound belt by upsetting Camila Reynoso at SFH 22.
LFA 220: Only one WMMA bout, with DWCS alum Leslie Hernandez (4-3) facing Flor Hernandez (4-3) in a Strawweight clash.
Jungle Fight 141: Finale this weekend between Brena Cardozo (12-5) and Leidiane Fernandes (7-2) in the Women’s Flyweight Tournament: both are older veterans, which is why they aren’t featured with a write-up in this preview.