UFC writes history tonight with first ever women's title fight
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Feb 2013
Mixed Martial Arts is widely considered a sport dominated by men, but not tonight. In an unprecedented move by the sport's largest promotional company, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), tonight's big event will showcase the first ever women's title bout in Anaheim, California.
And not only that, the championship fight between Americans Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche will be the main event of tonight's pay-per-view card billed as UFC 157 from the Honda Center.
Thanks to Rousey, who is becoming to be the sport's most recognizable cross over star. A 26 year old former US Olympian and bronze medalist in Judo from Venice, California, who not only has the looks of a star but one who has dominated his competition by far.
Rousey has by far amassed an unbeaten professional record of six wins, all of them coming in the first round. Her signature move is a Judo submission maneuver hold known as the armbar. All of Rousey's opponents from the old Strikeforce league succumbed to the move and submitted within seconds after that. That earned her a belt at only her fifth fight against former champ, Miesha Tate last year, dislocating Tate's elbow in the process.
Rousey's rising popularity was the main reason that changed the mind of UFC's president, Dana White, who was initially opposed to having women compete in the organization.
"This is, without a doubt, the most media attention we've ever had leading up to a fight," White admitted during Thursday's news conference for the fight.
"And when I talk about media attention, I'm talking about big time media. No fighter has ever fought in the UFC has had more attention than she has. It's a fact," added White.
Rousey will be squaring off against 29 year-old former Marine, Liz Carmouche of San Diego, California. Carmouche, who did three tours of duty in Iraq, has an 8-2 record as a professional MMA fighter and will be tonight's challenger to the UFC's very first bantamweight (135 pounds) belt.
It was a belt that Ronda Rousey refused to hold or call her own during Thursday's news event.
"I don't like to touch it before I win. We walk in there as equals and it doesn't matter what I was holding before," Rousey told ESPN in an interview.
After tonight, one of these tough girls will be the first ever women's champion of the UFC.
You can reach the author at rrmaze 24@aol.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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