Ronda Rousey holding her UFC women's bantamweight title – image via Facebook.com/UFC
During today’s UFC on FOX 5 live pre-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White introduced the promotions latest champion in female fighter Ronda ‘Rowdy’ Rousey (6-0).
Rousey has relinquished her Strikeforce women’s bantamweight title to become the very first UFC women’s 135-lbs title holder.
White also announced Rousey’s first title defense UFC 157 event in February, telling the gathered media that ‘Rowdy’ will headline the pay-per-view event versus Strikeforce/Invicta FC fighter Liz ‘Girl-Rila’ Carmouche (7-2).
UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche is expected to take place on February 23, 2013 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Many fans had hoped to see Rousey make her Octagon debut versus former Strikeforce featherweight title holder Cris ‘Cyborg’ Santos but according to both White and Rousey, will hopefully be next.
Carmouche was apparently the only worthy opponent to step up to face Rousey when the UFC put the call out for an opponent.
Rousey has won six straight matches, all by first round armbar submission. Five of her six opponents have fallen in under a minute including her last opponent Sarah Kaufman last August. The total time of those five bouts fail to add up to the length of Rousey’s title victory over Miesha Tate last March. Those five victories total 3:12 while her bout with Tate lasted 4:27.
Carmouche has won two straight under the Invicta FC banner, picking up wins at the promotions first two events. ‘Girl-Rilla’ used a rear-naked choke to tap out Kaitlin Young in July while finishing opponent Ashleigh Curry via first round TKO in April. Carmouche had lost two previous matches with Strikeforce, losing by decision to Kaufman and by submission in a Strikeforce title match versus former champ Marloes Coenen.