UFC women's division 'absolutely going to happen'

[DWx]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/mma/10/23/ronda-rousey

On Tuesday Dana White commented to Sports Illustrated that a Women's UFC division would be happening.

Ronda Rousey will undoubtedly be one of the fighters but thoughts on who else might fight? Who else would you want to see? Or would you even want to watch a women's division? How different, if at all, would it be from the men's competition?

[bushido_man96]

The pace of the fight might not be the same as a men's fight, but as far as skill level goes, it should be up there. I'm sure White will do what it takes to quickly cultivate a group of competitive female fighters to make the exciting and fill the seats.

Santos and another gal used to fight quite a bit, but I'm not sure if they still fight or not. Was it Corano, or something like that? They were both pretty fun to watch, and if they still fight, that would help White, too.

All in all, I think this is good for the Martial Arts in general. Kathy Long revolutionized women's Kickboxing years ago. Who knows?...maybe they'll get her and Cynthia Rothrock to commentate?

[JusticeZero]

I just hope they can keep it from turning into some sexist sideshow. I'm less worried about them "filling seats" as I am with how they fill them.

[MasterPain]

Anyway, hooray!

[DWx]

If anything, what I hope is that they don't restrict the fighters in any way because they're female. Like adjust what techniques they can use and stuff like that.

I just hope they can keep it from turning into some sexist sideshow. I'm less worried about them "filling seats" as I am with how they fill them.

I agree, they've got to be market it right and keep it about the combat.

[sensei8]

Will they have enough women for the long haul?

[DWx]

^It might be slow at first but it'll probably pick up once you have a good setup. Think a lot of competitive women fighters just stick to their respective styles: kickiboxing, BJJ, Judo etc. because there isn't an incentive to go MMA when the opportunities for competing is limited. I'd imagine as well it'd be like men's UFC; once it becomes popular you'll get women specifically wanting to train at MMA gyms.

[bushido_man96]

I think there are already some lower level organizations that have women competing. White will probably just start plucking the good ones away from them with the offer of bigger purses on a bigger stage with the UFC. Probably won't take long at all.

[yamesu]

There is already lower level MMA female fights here in Australia.

[DWx]

There is already lower level MMA female fights here in Australia.

We have them here too in the UK. UFC is a whole new ball game though. Increased funding and exposure and an "international" stage for women's MMA.