UFC 157 on Saturday night was headlined by Ronda Rousey in her debut for the company, as she made her first defense of the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship (formerly the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship) against challenger Liz Carmouche.
Ronda Rousey defeats Liz Carmouche via first-round armbar in main event of UFC 157
Ronda Rousey’s first UFC title defense is in the books. It went the same way as all her other fights -- with a first-round armbar and a submission victory.
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Heading into the fight, Rousey had won all of her six professional matches via first-round armbar. Many wondered if she would be able to continue her dominant streak and finish in the same way.
The two women started off with a clinch against the cage and Rousey grabbed a side headlock on the ground, but Carmouche quickly got on Rousey’s back with an over-under and a modified rear-naked choke/neck crank. Rousey was in serious danger but managed to throw Carmouche off. Carmouche stayed on her back for a bit with up-kicks, but Rousey managed to get another headlock and worked some ground-and-pound from top side-control.
Carmouche tried a triangle from the bottom, but Rousey rolled her over and went for the armbar. For nearly 30 seconds, Rousey tried to grab the armbar while Carmouche tried to prevent it, but finally Rousey sank in the armbar with 11 seconds left in the round and referee John McCarthy immediately called for the bell as Carmouche tapped.
Rousey entered the fight at 6-0, while Carmouche entered at 8-2. This was arguably the highest-profile women's mixed martial arts fight since Gina Carano took on Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos in 2009.
