Slowly but surely, the UFC women’s bantamweight division is taking shape.
The division kicks off, of course, at UFC 157 on Feb. 23, when champion Ronda Rousey defends her title against Liz Carmouche at Anaheim’s Honda Center.
On Monday, news broke of the division’s next big fight. This coming April 13 is set to be the date when former Strikeforce champion Miesha Tate faces fellow bantamweight Cat Zingano as part of The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale in Las Vegas.
Tuesday, the UFC confirmed another pair of standout women’s MMA fighters have been signed to UFC contracts: Sara McMann and Alexis Davis.
McMann, the 2004 Olympic wrestling silver medalist from Takoma Park, Maryland, has won all six of her pro MMA fights. Her most recent victory was a thriller of a decision over Shayna Baszler at Invicta 2 on July 28.
Davis (13-5), a native of Ontario, has been fighting since 2007. She’s won five of her past six bouts, most recently a submission win over Baszler at Invicta 4.
The quartet’s signing looks to be a signal of the UFC’s commitment in the women’s 135-pound weight class. Rousey, for her part, says she’s looking forward to Tate-Zingano and will be cageside at their fight.
“I think that’s an interesting matchup,” Rousey said Tuesday. “I’ve had my eyes on Cat for awhile, I think she’s one of the only other undefeated 135ers at the moment. I’m very interested in seeing how the fight goes. I’m going to be there at the fight myself, at the fight, and I’d love to take on the winner.”