When Did Women's UFC Start? A Journey Through Its Rise

Women fighting in the UFC once seemed impossible. UFC President Dana White even made his famous declaration that women would "never" compete in the octagon. Today, female fighters headline major events and draw millions of viewers worldwide.

A significant change started in 2013 with the first women's UFC fight between Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche. Women's divisions have grown faster since then and produced legendary champions with unforgettable moments in the sport. Women's UFC has evolved from a single weight class to multiple thriving divisions, becoming the life-blood of mixed martial arts.

This piece will help you find the complete history of women's UFC. The story spans from its challenging beginnings to its current status as a global phenomenon. You'll learn about the key figures, pivotal moments, and business decisions that shaped this remarkable trip.

The Pre-UFC Era of Women's MMA

Women fighters were making their mark in mixed martial arts around the world well before they entered the UFC octagon. The story of women's MMA began in Japan during the mid-1990s.

Early pioneers in women's fighting

A defining moment in American women's MMA happened on March 28, 1997. Becky Levi faced Betty Fagan at IFC 4 in the first recorded female fight on US soil. This match created new opportunities and led to the first women's tournament in Baton Rouge that year.

Several organizations supported women's fighting early on:

• International Fighting Championships
• SuperBrawl
• King of the Cage
• HOOKnSHOOT
• Ring of Combat

Impact of Strikeforce and Invicta FC

Strikeforce changed the game by becoming the first major US promotion to spotlight female fighters. The promotion made history on August 15, 2009, with its first female main event that drew 856,000 viewers.

A new champion for women's MMA emerged after UFC's parent company acquired Strikeforce in 2011. Invicta Fighting Championships launched in 2012 and gave female fighters a dedicated platform during a time of limited opportunities. Shannon Knapp's leadership turned Invicta into a breeding ground for future stars. The promotion offered regular fights while others only featured one or two female bouts per event.

Growing momentum for women's divisions

Women's MMA took a huge leap forward with Strikeforce's showcase of elite talent. Their Showtime partnership brought massive exposure, and the Gina Carano vs. Cris Cyborg event pulled in 576,000 viewers. These numbers proved that women's MMA could attract large audiences and deserved more spotlight.

These pioneering organizations helped women's MMA grow from small events to mainstream entertainment. These early years were crucial in showing that female fighters could match their male counterparts in skill, dedication, and excitement.

Dana White's Historic Change of Heart

A famous 20-second TMZ clip from 2011 shows UFC President Dana White declaring that women would "never, ever" fight in the UFC. It's hard to imagine those words came from the same person who later became women's MMA's biggest supporter.

Original resistance to women's MMA

White's resistance wasn't about sexism. He had real concerns about women's MMA back then. "At this time, I'm trying to get people to accept men fighting in a cage!" he explained. His viewpoint came from seeing mismatched women's fights and the talent gap between female fighters.

The Ronda Rousey effect

The game changed when an Olympic Bronze medalist in judo stepped in. Ronda Rousey wasn't just another fighter - she brought something new to MMA. Here's what made her special:

• She was a "talented, hard-working and determined force of destruction" in the cage
• She possessed a "striking, quotable and charismatic" personality outside it
• She had an Olympic pedigree and compelling backstory

White's mind changed after meeting Rousey: "Halfway through the meeting I'm like, 'Holy shit, I think I'm gonna do this. And I think she's the one to do it with'". Rousey became "the greatest athlete" White had ever worked with.

Announcing the first women's division

Late 2012 saw White make a historic announcement that would reshape the scene of mixed martial arts. FOX executives and UFC's front office backed the decision, but fans pushed back.

White faced backlash when he put Rousey above Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida, both established male fighters. "I was getting these messages from people, like, 'You piece of shit'". His belief never wavered.

The transformation was complete when White saw how crowds reacted to the first women's fight. "When she walked out of that tunnel in that arena, I knew I made the right decisions". This moment didn't just verify his choice - it gave him a new viewpoint on women's challenges in sports. "I have learned my lesson, believe me. We live and learn, and I have learned".

UFC 157: Breaking the Gender Barrier

February 23, 2013, became a turning point in combat sports history when the barriers of gender discrimination finally broke down in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Honda Center in Anaheim, California, became the stage for this game-changing moment in mixed martial arts.

First women's UFC fight preparation

The buildup to this historic event surpassed everyone's expectations. The venue nearly sold out and brought in more box office money than the previous UFC event at the same location - a heavyweight title fight. The atmosphere crackled with excitement as fight fans and critics waited to see women perform on the sport's biggest stage.

Rousey vs Carmouche historic moment

A crowd of 13,257 passionate fans watched Ronda Rousey defend her newly created UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship against Liz Carmouche. The fight delivered more than just symbolism - it packed intense action. Carmouche almost shocked the world with an early standing neck crank attempt. Rousey showed her championship heart and secured victory at 4:49 of the first round with her signature armbar submission.

Media coverage and public reaction

UFC 157 drew unprecedented media attention. To name just one example, see the range of coverage:

• Mainstream outlets like Rolling Stone, CNN, and Forbes offered extensive coverage
• California-based print, radio, and television media kept a constant presence
• UFC officials reported more media interest than any typical fight card

The event drew a new demographic to UFC events - young girls and their mothers came to pre-fight activities. This new audience mix showed the broader appeal that women's MMA could bring to the sport.

The effect was immediate and measurable. UFC officials noted that Rousey sparked more discussion than any other fighter in the promotion's history. The event's soaring win didn't just verify the decision to include women's divisions - it transformed the sport's future. This wasn't just a fight, but a fundamental change that opened doors for generations of female athletes.

Success reached beyond traditional metrics. >Non-sporting media outlets gave significant coverage, bringing MMA to people who had never followed the sport before. This wider exposure helped legitimize women's MMA and paved the way for its rapid growth in the following years.

Rapid Evolution of Women's Divisions

The bantamweight division's soaring win paved the way for women's UFC to change mixed martial arts forever.

Expansion beyond bantamweight

The bantamweight division's momentum sparked rapid growth. In 2014, the UFC introduced a second women's division with 115-pound strawweights. The Ultimate Fighter series brought this expansion, and Carla Esparza became the first UFC strawweight champion.

Creation of new weight classes

Female athletes now compete in four distinct UFC weight classes:

• Strawweight (115 pounds)
• Flyweight (125 pounds)
• Bantamweight (135 pounds)
• Featherweight (145 pounds)

These divisions did more than just add weight classes - they opened doors for talented fighters. In 2017, Germaine de Randamie claimed the first 145-pound title as the featherweight division debuted. The flyweight division followed soon after, marking another step in women's UFC progress.

Championship opportunities

More divisions meant more chances for female fighters to reach championship status. Notable milestones include:

The Ultimate Fighter played a vital role in crowning new champions, and Julianna Pena won season 18. Season twenty made history with an all-female cast competing for the UFC strawweight championship.

Dana White has discussed adding an atomweight division (105 pounds) in the future. This idea comes from the growing talent pool in South America and Asia, which could lead to a fifth women's division.

The progress continues with rising stars like Manon Fiorot making their mark. She joined in January 2021 and maintains a perfect record through seven Octagon appearances. Young talents like Erin Blanchfield, at just 25 years old, show the bright future ahead for women's divisions.

This quick expansion has created a golden age for women's mixed martial arts. Each division promotes competitive matchups and produces memorable champions. The sport's growth from one weight class to multiple thriving divisions shows UFC's steadfast dedication to women's MMA and its expanding talent pool.

Business Impact and Commercial Success

UFC's women's divisions have shown a remarkable financial rise. The numbers reveal a business transformation that mirrors the sport's competitive progress.

Pay-per-view numbers and revenue growth

Women's divisions sparked unprecedented growth for the UFC. The organization saw a staggering 5,500% increase in revenue between 2004 and 2006. Revenue jumped from $14 million to $180 million.

UFC 157 provided the first glimpse of women's drawing power and generated approximately 500,000 pay-per-view buys. This is a big deal as it means that the previous record for female combat sports events stood at 125,000 buys.

Revenue climbed steadily with a 35% increase between 2016 ($690 million) and 2021 ($930 million). The organization showed remarkable resilience during the pandemic. They hosted 41 events in 2020 and exceeded 2019 revenues by $30 million.

Marketing and promotion strategies

UFC's marketing approach revolutionized how fans experience women's MMA. Their strategy has:

• Evidence-based content creation based on fan engagement
• Social media platform utilization
• Behind-the-scenes content about fighters' experiences
• Reality TV integration through The Ultimate Fighter series

The results speak volumes: Female engagement with UFC grew by 33% from 2019 to 2023. This growth stems from careful efforts to showcase women's divisions on multiple platforms and formats.

Sponsorship and endorsement deals

UFC's sponsorship landscape has changed dramatically. The organization grew from a modest $10,000 deal with Gold's Gym in the early 1990s to become a sponsorship powerhouse. The experience unfolded like this:

Early Phase (1990s-2000s):

• Original deal with Gold's Gym
• Tapout became the dominant apparel partner
• Individual fighter sponsorships emerged

Modern Era (2008-Present):

• Mutually beneficial alliances with Bud Light and Harley Davidson
• Five-year, $350 million partnership with DraftKings
• Ten-year, $175 million kit deal with Crypto.com

UFC's commercial success reaches beyond traditional metrics. Sponsor brands enjoy 49% aided awareness among UFC fans. Partner products receive more favorable opinions from 40% of viewers. These numbers translate to real results - 35% of fans buy products from UFC sponsors more often.

Premium brands are drawn to the organization's evolving demographic. The diverse audience includes over 50% of 19-24 and 25-39 year olds who watch UFC. About 45% of viewers earn household incomes above $100,000. Brands like Revlon and Sheertex have joined as partners because of growing female viewership.

Broadcast partnerships have grown substantially. Domestic content rights generate $447 million annually. ESPN's landmark broadcasting deal adds over $300 million yearly. This amount is ten times larger than UK's BT Sports agreement, which proves the organization's global commercial appeal.

Conclusion

Women's UFC is proof of how sports perceptions can shift rapidly. A decade ago, female fighters couldn't access MMA's highest levels. Now they headline major events and attract millions of viewers in four weight classes.

This shift extends beyond athletic feats. Female fighters have altered the map of UFC's business model. They generate substantial revenue and bring new audiences to the sport. Their achievements open doors for upcoming athletes and show that talent transcends gender.

Women's UFC journey shows how one moment can spark lasting change. Dana White's decision and Ronda Rousey's groundbreaking fight set everything in motion. These key choices built a foundation that grows stronger each year.

New stars keep emerging as opportunities expand. Women's divisions are now everything in UFC's identity. They demonstrate that combat sports' biggest stages welcome anyone skilled and determined enough to compete at elite levels.

FAQs

When did women first start competing in the UFC?
Women's mixed martial arts (MMA) has evolved from being predominantly male to including female fighters who have significantly impacted the sport in the 21st century. The inclusion of women in the UFC began in 2013, marking a significant milestone as they were given the opportunity to compete on a global stage.

Who were the first women to headline a major MMA event?
The first major MMA event headlined by women was the fight between Gina Carano and Cris Cyborg in 2009 under Strikeforce. This event was pivotal in establishing the legitimacy of women's MMA in the United States. Following this, Ronda Rousey also headlined UFC events, further popularizing women's MMA.

Who was the first female UFC champion?
Ronda Rousey became the first female champion in the UFC when she signed with the organization in 2012. She defended her title six times and held the championship for over three years, setting a high standard for future competitors in women's divisions.

Has a women's fight ever been the main event in a UFC match?
Yes, women's fights have featured as main events in UFC matches. A notable recent example is the fight between Yan Xiaonan and Mackenzie Dern at UFC® Vegas 61, where Yan Xiaonan won by a majority decision. This highlights the growing prominence of women's bouts in UFC events.