Which fighter became the UFC’s first women’s bantamweight champion in 2012?

Ronda Rousey became the UFC’s first women’s bantamweight champion in 2012.

Rousey won the title at UFC 157 on February 23, 2013, but the championship originated when Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Rousey signed with the UFC in 2012. The UFC introduced women’s bouts through this division, making her its inaugural champion.

Her first UFC title defense was against Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 in Anaheim, California. Rousey won by first-round armbar, the signature submission that had also defined much of her earlier career. She successfully defended the belt six times.

The women’s bantamweight title helped establish women’s MMA as a major part of the UFC. Rousey’s Olympic judo background, rapid submissions, and mainstream visibility made her one of the sport’s most recognizable early stars.