History of WMMA
The Beginning
Early women’s MMA competitions are documented in the Mid-1990s in Japan, influenced by Kickboxing and professional wrestling and later in the United States. The Smackgirl competition was formed in 2001, later rebranded as JEWELS was the first major all-female promotion in mixed martial arts.
The Rise
Few fighters have been exciting and more influential in the sport of women’s MMA than Ronda Rousey. UFC President Dana White once opposed to women in mixed martial arts, but after having a 45-minute conversation with Rousey, and halfway through it he started thinking, “Oh my God, I think I’m gonna do this. And she’s definitely the one to do this with.”
On November 2012, the UFC announced that Rousey had become the first female fighter to sign with the UFC.. Rousey would go on to put WMMA on the map and become a household name.
Milestones
July 18, 1995
Tokyo, Japan
In 1995, Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling LLPW held a female Mixed martial arts tournament called, "LLPW Ultimate L-1 Tournament", which was one of the first female MMA shows.
March 28, 1997
Hogansburg, New York
First female MMA fight in United States held on March 28, 1997 by the International Fighting Championships between Becky Levi and Betty Fagan.
February 23, 2013
Anaheim, California
Ronda Rousey became the first woman fighter signed to the UFC on November 2012, and was promoted to the division's bantamweight champion. She successfully defended her title in the first UFC women's fight against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157.
August 15, 2009
San Jose, California
Strikeforce became the first major promotion in the United States to have held a female fight as the main event in 2009. The fight between Gina Carano and Cristiane Santos, known professionally as Cris Cyborg, attracted 856,000 viewers. Santos made history with her victory over Carano as she became the first Strikeforce Women's 145 lb Champion.