The UFC didn’t seem interested in adding a third female division to the promotion.
That has changed.
At UFC 208, Holly Holm will face Germaine de Randamie for the inaugural featherweight title.
Holm (10-2) finds herself on a two-fight skid, falling to Valentina Shevchenko via decision and dropping the UFC female bantamweight belt to Miesha Tate this past March.
Prior to the losses, the former boxing world champion had won all 10 of her pro fights, including a knockout of Ronda Rousey for the belt in 2015.
De Randamie (7-3) has scored back-to-back TKO finishes since a loss to current UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. She is 4-1 over her last five and 3-1 inside the Octagon.
UFC 208 takes place February 11 from Brooklyn.