For years, women had to fight outside the spotlight of the UFC. But once the promotion embraced female fighters, it didn’t take long for women to prove they could draw crowds, break barriers, and deliver unforgettable moments.
The experts at Bet442, home of the most competitive UFC betting odds, have come up with five of the most defining events in women’s UFC history; moments that not only shook the sport but also reshaped its future.
1. Ronda Rousey Signs With the UFC (2012)
When UFC president Dana White once declared women would “never” fight in the Octagon, it seemed like a locked door. But Ronda Rousey’s meteoric rise in Strikeforce, finishing opponents in under a minute with her trademark armbar, made her impossible to ignore. In 2012, Rousey became the first woman signed to the UFC and its inaugural bantamweight champion. This decision didn’t just introduce a new division; it legitimized women’s MMA on the sport’s biggest stage.
2. Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche: The First Women’s UFC Fight (2013)
UFC 157 marked history: Ronda Rousey defended her bantamweight belt against Liz Carmouche in the first-ever women’s fight inside the Octagon. Carmouche nearly shocked the world with a rear-naked choke attempt in round one, but Rousey escaped and secured her signature armbar finish. The fight was thrilling, symbolic, and a clear message to sceptics: women’s MMA belonged in the UFC.
3. Holly Holm Knocks Out Ronda Rousey (2015)
Few moments in UFC history, men’s or women’s, were as shocking as Holm’s head-kick knockout of Ronda Rousey at UFC 193. Rousey had been the sport’s most dominant figure, finishing opponents in seconds and carrying an aura of invincibility. When Holm dismantled her with precision striking and ended the fight with a perfectly timed kick, the upset sent shockwaves worldwide. It was a turning point, proving women’s MMA was unpredictable, competitive, and capable of seismic upsets.
4. Joanna Jędrzejczyk and Zhang Weili’s Five-Round War (2020)
At UFC 248, strawweight champion Zhang Weili and former champ Joanna Jędrzejczyk delivered one of the greatest fights in MMA history. For five brutal, high-paced rounds, they exchanged strikes in a display of technical brilliance, toughness, and heart. Jędrzejczyk’s swollen, distorted forehead became an iconic image of sacrifice in the Octagon. Fans and analysts alike hailed it as one of the best fights ever, male or female, cementing women’s MMA as elite-level entertainment.
5. Amanda Nunes Becomes a Two-Division Champion (2018)
Amanda Nunes had already conquered legends like Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate, but at UFC 232, she faced Cris Cyborg, long considered the most feared woman in MMA. In just 51 seconds, Nunes shocked the world by knocking Cyborg out cold, becoming the first woman in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions simultaneously. This cemented Nunes’ legacy as arguably the greatest female fighter of all time.
Final Thoughts
Women’s MMA in the UFC went from a “never” to a pillar of the promotion’s success. From trailblazers like Rousey to modern icons like Nunes, Zhang, and Holm, these moments didn’t just shake the sport; they built a foundation for future generations of fighters. The Octagon is no longer just a stage for men; it’s a proving ground where women continue to create history.