Also fighting at UFC 157: Liz Carmouche
Liz Carmouche begins wrapping her hands for a training session in the days leading up to her Strikeforce title shot against Marloes Coenen on March 5, 2011. Credit: Strikeforce/Esther Lin
Ronda Rousey became the first female to sign a contract with the UFC and was installed as the women's bantamweight champion, a title she won and defended once in Strikeforce before the promotion folded.
For all the accolades she has earned, and the press that has been heaped on her, there is also basic math to understand: She's No. 2 in another category.
The first female fighter to enter the octagon as a combatant in a UFC event will be . . . Liz Carmouche.
So, amid all the things you have already seen and read and learned about Rousey, take a moment to catch up on who Carmouche is heading into Saturday's main event at UFC 157 in Anaheim, Calif.
-- She's a former Marine, serving five years in the Corps, was a helicopter electrician and did three tours of duty in the Middle East.
-- She's the first openly gay fighter in the UFC. Her fans call themselves "Lizbos."
-- Carmouche skipped amateur MMA and went straight to the pros.
-- Carmouche (8-2) won her first six fights when she got a title shot against then Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen. Carmouche dominated the champ for three rounds before being submitted by triangle choke in the fourth round.
-- Nicknamed "GirlRilla", Carmouche turned 29 on Tuesday.
-- Carmouche was born in Lafayette, La., and raised in Okinawa, Japan. She now lives and trains in San Diego, Calif.
-- She also teaches children's MMA classes at the gym where she trains and works, San Diego Combat Academy.
