Breaking Barriers
Breaking Barriers is a bold declaration of the power, resilience, and impact of women in UFC.
Forever Breaking Barriers
Throughout March, we proudly spotlight our women athletes not only for their achievements inside the Octagon but also for the barriers they've shattered across the global sports landscape. The "fight" is not just about competition inside the Octagon. It is about the courage, equity, and pursuit of greatness. The women of UFC embody that fight everyday.
History Of Women In The UFC
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UFC 1
Martial artist Kathy Long became the first woman to commentate a UFC event (pre-Zuffa era) alongside Bill Wallace and Jim Brown. -
UFC 157
In February 2013, history is made when female fighters compete for the first time in the Octagon. The headlining bantamweight bout at UFC 157 between Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche was the first-ever women's fight in UFC history. -
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs Team Tate
Along with coaches Ronda Rousey and Miesha tate, sixteen women fought alongside sixteen men for their spot in the The Ultimate Fighter house. Notable fighters Julianna Peña, Raquel Pennington, Roxanne Modafferi, and Shayna Baszler were among standsouts from the season. -
The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned
The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned was the first season in the show's history to feature only female fighters competing for the UFC strawweight championship. -
The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned Finale
Carla Esparza became the first UFC strawweight champion after securing a rear-naked choke in the 3rd round of The Ultimate Fighter Finale against Rose Namajunas. -
UFC 185
Joanna Jedrzejczyk puts Poland on the map at UFC 185, becoming the first Polish-born champion in UFC history. -
UFC 193
UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia becomes the highest-attended event in UFC history (56,214) and first UFC card headlined by two women’s title fights. In the main event, Holly Holm defeated UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey to capture the bantamweight title. -
UFC 196
Challenging for the UFC bantamweight title for a second time, Miesha Tate achieved her goal after submitting Holly Holm via rear-naked choke in the 5th round of their UFC 196 bout. -
UFC 196
UFC 196 saw two of the most dominant future champions in the UFC meet for the first time when Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko stepped into the Octagon. The bout would see Nunes emerging the victor by decision, but it wasn't the last time to two would meet. -
UFC 200
UFC 200 in Las Vegas, Nevada marks a historic milestone topping off the most impressive International Fight Week to date. -
UFC 207
The unstoppable force that is "The Lioness" Amanda Nunes was on full display after the bantamweight champion stopped the returning Ronda Rousey in 48-seconds of their UFC 207 main event. -
UFC 208
Germaine de Randamie became the first black female to headline a UFC event at UFC 208, where she defeated Holly Holm for the UFC featherweight championship title. That night, she also became the first black women's champion. -
UFC 214
Cris Cyborg makes her long awaited debut, defeating Leslie Smith by TKO (punches) in the first round of their fight. -
UFC 215
Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko meet for a second, with "The Lioness" emerging victorious again by split decision. Fans continue to clamor for a trilogy to settle the rivalry. -
UFC 217
A first-round TKO over Joanna Jędrzejczyk left Rose Namajunas with gold around her waist. She went on to defend the belt once more against Jędrzejczyk at UFC 223, before falling to Andrade. -
The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale
Nicco Montaño became UFC’s first women’s flyweight champion after defeating Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision. -
UFC Hall of Fame: Modern Wing
A pioneer of the sport, Ronda Rousey was announced as the first woman to join the UFC Hall of Fame in its modern wing. Rousey was the last Strikeforce bantamweight champion and the first UFC women's bantamweight champion. She defended her title 6 times with a record of 12-2. -
UFC 231
Valentina Schevenko begins her reign as the UFC flyweight champion and the first UFC champion from Kyrgyzstan after defeating Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231. She was the first woman to successfully defend the UFC women’s flyweight title. -
UFC 232
Amanda Nunes defeated Cris Cyborg at UFC 232 to win the women's featherweight title, becoming the first women's to claim double champion status in UFC history. She became the bantamweight champion in 2016 at UFC 200. -
UFC 237
Jessica Andrade earned UFC gold for the first time at UFC 237 against strawweight Rose Namajunas. An unforgettable slam knocked out Namajunas out, sending Andrade home not only with the belt, but with Performance and Fight of the Night honors as well. -
UFC Fight Night
Zhang Weili becomes China’s first UFC champion at UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs Zhang after defeating Jessica Andrade via TKO 42 seconds into the bout. -
UFC 248
Weili Zhang defended her strawweight title against Joanna Jędrzejczyk in what is considered by many to be the greatest women's MMA match of all time. -
UFC 269
Julianna Peña became UFC’s fifth women’s bantamweight champion when she locked in a second-round submission over Amanda Nunes at UFC 289. Prior to the bout, Nunes had successfully defended the belt five times. -
UFC Fight Night
Octagon side reporter and Dana White’s Contender Series commentator Laura Sanko made her color commentary debut at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Spivac, becoming the first female color commentator to call a UFC broadcast in the Zuffa Era. -
UFC 285
Alexa Grasso became the first Mexican-born women's champion after submitting Valentina Shevchenko in the fourth round at UFC 285. -
UFC 289
Amanda Nunes retires as double champ after defeating Irene Aldana at UFC 289 in Vancouver. -
First UFC NIL Athlete, Iowa wrestler Bella Mir Announced
"Bella was destined to become a member of the UFC family her entire life, and I’m proud that she’s making history as our first NIL ambassador." - Dana White -
Noche UFC | Grasso vs Schevchenko 2
The inaugural Noche UFC mega-event was headlined by the women's flyweight title rematch, Grasso vs Schevchenko 2 -
Joanna Jędrzejczyk Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame
Joanna Jędrzejczyk was inducted into the UFC Hall Of Fame, Modern Wing -
Shi Ming Wins Road To UFC
Shi Ming made history, becoming the first female fighter to win the "Road to UFC" tournament with a TKO victory in the strawweight finale at UFC Fight Night in Macau -
Amanda Nunes Inducted to UFC Hall of Fame
The most acclaimed fighter in UFC women’s history, Amanda Nunes becomes the third woman inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, Modern Wing. -
Kayla Harrison wins the UFC Title
Kayla Harrison becomes the first UFC women’s athlete to have won both an Olympic gold medal and a UFC championship. -
Valentina Shevchenko Breaks New Records
Valentina Shevchenko tied the UFC record for most title fight wins with 11 and became the first woman to record 60 career takedowns.
Break Barriers All Year Long!
Celebrate women’s champs from the past, present and future at UFC Store! Shop official apparel, title belts, training gear and more – all in one place for the ultimate fight fan.
For The Ultimate Fan
UFC Women’s Historic Fight Tees
HOF Collectibles
UFC COLLECTIBLES
Current UFC Women’s Champions
Featured Stories
Breaking Barriers – Celebrate The Women Of UFC Wit…
Shop The Breaking Barriers Collection At UFC Store And UFC Collectibles!
Fatima Kline | Destined For Greatness
Ascending Strawweight Talks Impressive 2025, Divisional Makeup As She Awaits 2026 Debut
UFC Connected | Erin Blanchfield, Fatima Kline, J…
Erin Blanchfield and Fatima Kline on theie partnership, Joselyne Edwards on moving to Vegas, Laura Sanko's fighters t
Erin Blanchfield: ‘Getting To The Title Is Meant F…
Flyweight Standout Talks MSG Moments, Staying Ready In Crowd Division
Rematch Timeline | Alexa Grasso vs Maycee Barber
Before Flyweight Contenders Alexa Grasso And Maycee Barber Meet For A Second Time At UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs.
Breaking Barriers | The Next Generation
A Glimpse At The Emerging UFC Women’s Talent We’re Likely To Be Watching For Years To Come
EXPLORE UFC WOMEN'S DIVISIONS
Strawweight Division
Flyweight Division
