Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash
What was said to be something that would never happen has become a massive draw for the UFC: allowing women to fight.
But, if it was said that it wouldn’t happen, how did women end up fighting within this organization and becoming hugely prominent in it? Well, there’s a whole story behind this, filled with drama and dynamic characters, and all your questions will be answered below.
When and How Did Women Enter the UFC?
Women fighting in the UFC started in 2013 — just two years after the UFC head, Dana White, said he’d “never” sign women fighters. So, what changed his mind in just two short years?
There are a few factors at play here, but three things in particular stand out. First, naturally, there was a lot of press about his statement. Second, another fighting organization, Strikeforce, was successfully hosting female fighters, so the pressure was on for the UFC. Third, he was impressed by a Strikeforce female fighter and bronze-medal Olympian, Ronda Rousey, who wanted to sign with the UFC.
Here’s how it all played out:
TMZ caught White on his way out of a restaurant and asked him a question that everyone even remotely interested in MMA wanted to know: When was the UFC going to set up a female fighter division? This was when White made a devastating response for hopeful female fighters: “Never.” The response went viral, with news agencies splashing this UFC update across their platforms.
As the women’s division at Strikeforce grew in stature, it became clear that women were not only interested in MMA but were more than capable of fighting at the professional level.
Through the Strikeforce women’s division, Rousey’s wildly impressive track record, like winning her first few fights in under sixty seconds, and signature fighting style drew attention in the MMA sphere. Her skill and popularity made it hard for White to ignore women in the sport. He decided to sign Rousey as the first female fighter in the UFC, and her first UFC fight was against Liz Carmouche in February 2013.
Signing Rousey was a public mark of a significant shift happening behind closed doors in the MMA industry. The UFC’s parent company, Zuffa, had purchased Strikeforce and was merging the two organizations. By 2013, Strikeforce, and all of the Strikeforce player contracts, was completely absorbed into the UFC, meaning that the UFC now had multiple women on its roster.
Who Were the Trailblazers That Led the Way?
Undeniably, Rousey has been instrumental in shaping the UFC as it’s known today. Not only did she get White to sign the first female players, but she also became the UFC’s highest-paid fighter — in just two years! Her career has also taken her to the UFC’s Hall of Fame, making her the first female athlete to do so.
But who else has helped push women to prominence in this traditionally male-dominated industry?
Gina Carano was the first woman to take part in a sanctioned women’s MMA fight in 2006. In doing this, she helped lay the groundwork for professional female fighters. She, like Rousey, was a Strikeforce fighter who excelled in her sport.
Liz Carmouche was part of the UFC history-making first female fight as Rousey’s opponent, making her another important figure in bringing women to prominence. On top of this, she was the first openly gay fighter within the UFC, which is groundbreaking in its own right.
Then, there are also the women who have come in and owned the MMA scene with their fighting prowess — women like Amanda Nunes, who is often considered the GOAT for women’s MMA, Chris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko.
While many more have helped lay the foundation and continued the success of women in the UFC, these are some of the most notable names. They’ve impressed spectators and continue to inspire future female athletes.
What Does the UFC Look Like for Current Female Fighters?
The decision to add a women’s division was a success because, ten years later, female fighters are still part of the UFC. Today, the women’s division consists of 279 women. Rousey has even commented on the progress, saying, “The way that everyone has been approaching the women fighters has changed dramatically. It went from being a joke to the highlight of every card they’re on.”
Unfortunately, there is still criticism around gender equality within the UFC, though this is generally criticized in the sports world. A big topic of criticism is the sexualization of female athletes — just google “women in UFC” or “UFC Female Athletes,” and one of the first articles you see ranks the “hottest” fighters. Other athletes and even sports news agencies have been called out for their unnecessary, sexualizing commentary.
The UFC has also faced criticism for how it treats its players, both women and men, with lawsuits around athletes’ low payouts among the most mentioned.
While huge strides have been made, there’s still room for improvement in terms of women and all athletes in the UFC.
The UFC has been no exception to women’s ability to break into and excel in a male-dominated area. From becoming leading decision-makers, driving forces in the STEM fields, and winners in professional poker and online gambling (where you can spin on games for free), women have become prominent players across the board.
