Sherdog’s Top 10: Ronda Rousey Achievements

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1. White Noise

When UFC President Dana White insisted several years ago that he would never allow women to fight in the Octagon, it seemed like a done deal. Everything changed, however, when Rousey started collecting arms and championship gold in Strikeforce. A rivalry with Miesha Tate enhanced her star and made her an overnight sensation. White had no choice but to backtrack.

Ultimately, the UFC signed Rousay and pitted her against Liz Carmouche in the UFC 157 main event, much to the chagrin of many hardcore MMA fans and veteran fighters. Some believed the Dan Henderson-Lyoto Machida showdown was a more deserving headliner. It mattered not to UFC brass.

With the help of Carmouche, Rousey broke the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s gender barrier on Feb. 23, 2013 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. There, she submitted Carmouche with a first-round armbar, retained the UFC women’s bantamweight championship and blazed a trail to the Octagon for other female fighters. In nearly three years since, Rousey has become MMA’s most recognizable star.