Hard to believe, but it hasn't been even eight years since Ronda Rousey and her armbar revolutionized the UFC. The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in judo and Strikeforce champion became the first woman to sign a contract with UFC in November of 2012. Since that signature moment, women have been headlining events, drawing record crowds and wowing and ow!-ing with their performances inside the Octagon.
Women from six different countries and four different continents have owned a belt. In honor of International Women's Day, here are 12 of the biggest moments in women's UFC history.
Listen: Amanda Nunes joins Sarah Spain for International Women's Day
Feb. 23, 2013
In the first UFC women's fight, Ronda Rousey, installed as the inaugural bantamweight champion, defeats fellow American Liz Carmouche at UFC 157 in Anaheim, California. The fight marks the first of 27 times that a women's fight headlines a UFC event.
Sept. 4, 2013
For the first time, "The Ultimate Fighter" features women as competitors and head coaches. Americans Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate serve as coaches for Season 18.
Dec. 12, 2014
The UFC crowns its first strawweight champion when Carla Esparza defeats fellow American Rose Namajunas in "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 20 finale in Las Vegas.
Feb. 28, 2015
Ronda Rousey sets the UFC women's record for fastest victory when she submits fellow American Cat Zingano in 14 seconds at UFC 184 in Los Angeles. The record still stands. The win sends Rousey's fame to another stratosphere -- she later appears on television shows, movies, magazine covers and video games.
March 14, 2015
Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland defeats belt holder Carla Esparza for the strawweight title at UFC 185 in Dallas. A women's title changes hands for the first time and Jedrzejczyk becomes the first female fighter from outside the United States to own a belt.
Nov. 14, 2015 (Nov. 15 in Australia)
Two women's title fights headline UFC 193 in Melbourne, Australia. The card sets a record for highest attendance in UFC history at the time (56,214). Joanna Jedrzejczyk retains her strawweight title against Canadian Valerie Letourneau in the co-main event while American Holly Holm stuns Ronda Rousey, knocking her out to win the bantamweight title.
July 9, 2016
Amanda Nunes of Brazil defeats Miesha Tate in the main event of UFC 200 in Las Vegas to win the bantamweight title. Tate had defeated Holly Holm, who held the belt for 111 days. Nunes becomes the first openly gay UFC champion.
Dec. 30, 2016
Amanda Nunes defeats Ronda Rousey in 48 seconds at UFC 207 in Las Vegas to defend her title. A bloodied and dazed Rousey would not return to the Octagon again. She has since become the first woman to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. "I am the first woman standing up here accepting this incredible honor," she said at her induction ceremony. "May I be the first of many."
Feb. 11, 2017
Germaine de Randamie of the Netherlands becomes the inaugural featherweight champion by defeating Holly Holm in a controversial fight at UFC 208 in New York.
Dec. 8, 2018
Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan becomes the flyweight champion after defeating Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant title at UFC 231 in Toronto. Shevchenko has since defended her title three times.
Dec. 29, 2018
Amanda Nunes becomes the first woman to hold two UFC titles when she defeats featherweight champion and fellow Brazilian Cris Cyborg by first-round knockout at UFC 232 in Inglewood, California.
Aug. 31, 2019
Zhang Weili becomes the first Chinese-born UFC champion when she defeats Jessica Andrade in 42 seconds to win the strawweight title at UFC Fight Night 157 in Shenzhen, China. Zhang is scheduled for her first title defense Saturday at UFC 248.