This Saturday is the historic UFC event entitled “UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche.” The first ever women’s fight in the 19 year existence of the UFC. WMMA has finally broken down Dana White (and others) with their personality, skills and fan base to allow them a fair shot with the UFC audience.
I can’t express enough of how proud I am of this moment for my sport. It took longer than I would haven’t liked, but all things considered this was the best way to do it. No doubt the purchase of StrikeForce from the UFC and ShowTime not allowing the UFC brass to step in and help the promotion aided in the culmination of this moment by StrikeForce dying off. Low and behold one of the most out spoken, dominate, polarizing, active fighters is now with out a home, Ronda Rousey. She is now the first female fighter to be signed and crowned Champion in the UFC. Further more, she is the first UFC female fighter… anything! Headliner, champion and on and on and on…
Get caught up with my YouTube playlist of interviews, promos, primetime episodes, pressers and more leading up to this event.
I had the pleasure of watching Rousey win the StrikeForce title (to be later rolled over to the UFC title) back in Ohio in 2011. She nearly broke Tate’s arm in the process. That night I got to see first hand that Rousey is the real deal and that Tate is a true warrior for not giving up so easily. Believe me, no one who saw that fight live would have blamed Tate one bit if she tapped out earlier. That armbar was the deepest one I have ever seen on TV or in person.
I am hopeful that the masses will come to see these female fighters as the high caliber fighters that they are and less of a publicity stunt, flash-in-the-pan, fade, sex symbols and other belittling terms that they are today. I think these two fighters in the main event will turn many opinions around about WMMA for the better and have them looking forward to more fights in this new division. Some education will have to be done on the audience’s part regarding the names and backgrounds of these new fighters, but that’s standard. It’s no different than when the UFC rolled over the small weight classes from WEC, and look how well that turned out!
I’m looking forward to seeing this card and I hope you are too! In parting, I leave you with this question: Is Rousey the most successful grappler in the UFC or MMA?
His and Hers MMA 