Who became the first openly gay UFC fighter to compete in the promotion?

Liz Carmouche became the first openly gay UFC fighter to compete in the promotion.

Carmouche made her UFC debut at UFC 157 on February 23, 2013, against Ronda Rousey in the first UFC women’s bout. Carmouche had publicly discussed her relationship with her wife and became an important LGBTQ+ figure in the sport.

Although Carmouche lost to Rousey by first-round armbar, she came close to finishing the fight before the champion recovered. Her appearance helped broaden the visibility of openly LGBTQ+ athletes in a major combat-sports organization.

The distinction concerns being openly gay while competing in the UFC, rather than being the first LGBTQ+ athlete in all MMA. Carmouche later won championships in other organizations, including Bellator, after her UFC career.