The Ultimate Fighting Championship has announced they will be launching a women’s strawweight (115lbs) division. Invicta Fighting Championship, an American organisation which focuses on female fighters, has assigned 11 competitors over to the UFC.
The list of fighters includes two Aussies – Brisbane’s Bec ‘Rowdy’ Hyatt and Sydney-based Alex ‘Astro Girl’ Chambers.
The other fighters are Carla Esparza, Claudia Gadelha, Felice Herrig, Joanne Calderwood, Tecia Torres, Rose Namajunas, Emily Kagan, Julianna Lima, and Paige Van Zant.
Hyatt holds a 5-3 MMA record and is currently ranked ninth in her division by the Unified Women’s MMA Rankings.
Chambers holds a 4-1 record. Her last fight was against Jodie Esquibel at Invicta FC 5, which Chambers won via submission.
In May, the women’s strawweight fighters will report to Las Vegas where they will participate in season 20 of The Ultimate Fighter in what will be the show’s first-ever all-women’s season.
Another first for the show will be the crowning of the season 20 winner as the inaugural UFC women’s strawweight champion.
An additional five fighters will be selected for the show via a tryout set to be held in 2014. The coaches for the season have yet to be determined.
“The women’s 135-pound division in the UFC has been amazing and we know there are a ton of talented women’s mixed martial artists out there,” UFC president Dana White said.
“Now, you’ll see even more great women’s bouts in the UFC with the addition of the 115-pound division.
“We’re excited to crown the first-ever UFC women’s strawweight champion in 2014 after a historic season of The Ultimate Fighter.”
Jason Tulio
Roar Guru
No word or rumours on a women's heavyweight division yet. I think any other divisions at this stage are a while away - still gotta build the name of women's MMA in the UFC first.
Titus
Guest
I remember another one where they practiced martial arts in honey, sadly it has gone also.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
oh I missed that, never heard of it :(
Titus
Guest
It reminds me of that show on Fox, "Wrestler Girl", whatever happened to that? It was so good to see these girls practicing the martial arts.
Titus
Guest
I guess the UFC audience is interested in seeing hot girls fighting, not fatties.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
That's interesting Jason. Do you know if Dana's thinking of introducing a heavyweight category anytime soon? I haven't heard anything and I think he avoids the subject. My take is that he wants women's MMA to be accepted by the general public and avoid big KO. Imo a heavyweight category with +75kgs women with real knock-out power would be detrimental to the sport at this stage, still early days. The world isn't ready to see a huge woman smashing others or women lose consciousness in the octagon, shadow box unconscious etc. I know I am ;) (am joking, I think it wouldn't be easy to watch at first. would take time to adjust plus females brawling is becoming more and more of an issue in our western societies). dunno what to think really. (but very tempting!)