Ronda Rousey Becomes First Female Fighter To Join UFC

[No More Sorrow]

Ronda Rousey just made MMA history ... becoming the very first female fighter to join the UFC ... TMZ has learned.

Rousey -- a former U.S. Olympian -- has officially joined Dana White's MMA organization ... and automatically becomes the 135 lb women's champion.


We're told 25-year-old Ronda will defend her title in 2013 -- possible opponents include Sara McMann, Cris Cyborg and rival Miesha Tate.


Rousey has been fighting in Strikeforce since last year and emerged as a superstar ... beating the living crap out of just about everybody she's faced. In fact, she's undefeated.


And there's more ... sources say Strikeforce, which airs on Showtime, will be running its last event in January before folding up shop for good.


A rep for Strikeforce had no comment.


It's a pretty crazy turn of events -- considering last year, Dana told TMZ women would "NEVER" fight in the UFC.

TMZ is reporting this...take it with a grain of salt but HOLY SHIT!

Then after looking around on Twitter, i see that Ariel Helwani is reporting that the January Strikeforce show will be the last, and then the company is going to be closing operations.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Ariel Helwani has confirmed that TMZ's story about Rousey now being under contract to the UFC is legitimate, also confirmed what he was reporting, SF will close it's doors after it's January show. That part isn't surprising, I'm a little shocked Rousey got out of her SF contract, I'm assuming Dana bought the contract out, regardless though this is huge news for the UFC.

 

[The Cork]

This is fucking awesome news, loved Strikeforce while it lasted but really the unification should of happened right away.

Melendez in UFC is brilliant, Corimier/Barnett/Marquardt are all solid additions too, Rousey vs Cyborg will most likely happen now.......good times to be an MMA fan tbh.

 

[PHX]

Holy fuck we were talking about this weeks ago and wasn't too sure this would happen let alone this fast but this is great news and something I thought UFC had to consider with them having the pieces to build a division there.

 

[No More Sorrow]

After a rough 2012, i think 2013 is going to be a HUGE year for the UFC.

I did enjoy SF while it lasted as well, but it was inevitable. There's going to be a giant press conference when the UFC is back in the United states in a few weeks, and they're going to make everything official.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Also, Miesha Tate was signed by the UFC as well tonight.

 

[PHX]

Wonder if we'll see Gina Carano pop up now.

 

[No More Sorrow]

I'm hoping she'll make her comeback, her and Rousey is a pretty marketable fight. Also she's probably the second or third best known woman fighter out their other than Rousey and Cyborg.

 

[PHX]

Yeah as far as name value goes it's the biggest female fight I can think of that would get tons of attention. Rousey would more than likely destroy Gina but I still would like to see it anyways.

 

[No More Sorrow]

I'd like to see it as well. Think they'll do a rematch with Rousey/Tate first off just because those two hate each other and it drew pretty big ratings in their first fight a few months back on Showtime. The Cyborg fight all depends on when she gets off suspension.

I'm still kind of shocked that all of this went down in such a short period of time, especially seeing as Dana and the rest of the UFC executrices are in China for a show this weekend. :

 

[Embrace Thou Maryse]

Great news, it'll be good to see the Strikeforce elite prove themselves against UFC's elite and seeing women make it to the UFC finally is a good thing.

 

[Deezy]

Would have to raid every organization for talent and there still wouldn't be enough for a full division.

This screams strictly superfight status until FMMA can catch up to 99.

 

[The Cork]

Wouldn't be surprised if Zuffa bought out Invicta and fed the roster to Rousey.

 

[Troy]

I am surprised that UFC have gone through with this, I don't think that it will gain them any fans and if anything will probably lose them fans.

Early on there will probably only be a few women's fights each year as there just isn't enough top talent out there and I doubt that it will ever get to the level where there is a female fight on each show.