First Woman in the UFC to Hold a Title

Ronda Rousey is a name synonymous with the evolution of women's MMA. Her impact on the sport and her accomplishments within the UFC have been nothing short of revolutionary.

She helped pave the way for the modern greats such as Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko. Here's how she did it…

Rousey began her martial arts journey in judo, a sport where she achieved considerable success. Born on February 1, 1987, in Riverside, California, Rousey was introduced to judo by her mother, AnnMaria De Mars, who herself was a judo champion. Rousey’s dedication to the sport led her to become the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo when she won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

After the Olympics, Rousey transitioned from judo to MMA, a move that would forever change her life and the sport itself. She quickly gained attention for her aggressive style and her signature move, the armbar submission, which she used to secure numerous victories in her early career. Rousey’s proficiency in judo, combined with her relentless pressure and submission attacks, made her a force to be reckoned with in MMA.

How Ronda Rousey Paved the Way for Women in the UFC

Ronda Rousey punches Alexis Davis//Getty Images

Ronda Rousey’s rise in MMA coincided with a growing interest in women’s combat sports. Recognising her potential, UFC President Dana White, who had previously stated that women would never fight in the UFC, changed his stance and signed Rousey to the promotion in November 2012. This decision was a historic moment for both the fighter and the organisation.

On February 23, 2013, at UFC 157, Rousey made history by becoming the UFC's first women's bantamweight champion. The event marked the first time a women’s fight headlined a UFC card. In her debut, Rousey successfully defended her title against Liz Carmouche, securing a win via her trademark armbar submission in the first round.

She went on to defend her title six times, defeating notable opponents such as Miesha Tate, Sara McMann, and Cat Zingano. Her fights became must-see events, drawing significant pay-per-view numbers and mainstream media attention. Rousey’s dominance, characterised by her quick finishes made her a global superstar.

To this day she still holds the record for most consecutive title defences in UFC women's bantamweight history and most finishes in UFC women's bantamweight title fights - six. This also sees her have the longest title fight finish streak in UFC history.

Not only did Rousey dominate her opponents, but she also broke barriers for women in combat sports. Her success helped to elevate women's MMA to new heights, inspiring the UFC to introduce more women’s weight classes and sign additional female fighters.