Don't Get Me Wrong... I'm Happy Women are in the UFC: A Rant of Sorts.

Editorial by: Lacey Neher

Rousey and Carmouche embrace at the
 UFC Post Fight Press Conferance

As an avid fan of MMA especial Women's MMA, I feel it is my duty to express my opinion about the UFC's first women's bout and where they may or perhaps, should go from here. Liz Carmouche was the first woman to walk through Dana White's "Never" statement and into the octagon for the first Women's bout in the history of the organizations tenure. Ronda Rousey, followed and the two ladies put on a show.

At this point, we know how the fight went down. Ronda Rousey donned the UFC Women's Bantamweight belt after putting her world famous armbar submission to work on Carmouche with 11 seconds left in round 1. Carmouche gave her a run for her money, when she jumped on Rousey's back and tried with all her might to sink in a standing rear naked choke, to no avail. Carmouche may not be the champ, but she is well respected after last nights efforts.

I must say, I am impressed with the UFC on how they promoted UFC 157. I was certain that they would sex up the commercials, in an attempt to sell PPV's to the average UFC viewer. The promo's were not sexy at all, which I was very happy about. The UFC got it right, letting the women show the casual MMA fan, who hasn't given the women a chance that they are just as talented, tough and have just as much heart (if not more) as the men. We will see more of the same from the ladies in the future and hopefully, the UFC will look to expand and bring in other weight classes.

Having said this, I am still waiting to see whether Dana White and the powers that be over at Zuffa will take this gem they have with the women and mess it up, by using "sex" to draw in viewers.



Another point I'd like to make is that Women's MMA is a whole different ball of wax when it comes to sportsmanship and class. When I attended Invicta FC 3 back in October of 2012, I saw women who were beating the crap out of each other just hours before were hanging out and partying together, because for the most part they left it all in the cage. The sense of community among the women is very welcoming, and approachable. I hope that the UFC doesn't strip the Womens community of this by making the fighters untouchable to the fans.



A small part of this is true with Ronda Rousey. Back when the Women's MMA Media MMA awards came out, Ronda Rousey won a couple of awards. We were able to get statements from all the fighters. (even international fighters), but after multiple attempts by all of us to get a statement from Ms. Rousey, we heard nothing. I was needless to say a little peeved because, Our little group of FMMA advocates who do most of our work promoting Women's MMA (asking for nothing in return) have worked long and hard to see the day women fighters are let into that "boys club" known as the UFC could get a one sentence statement stating thanks from Ronda.

I am also sitting in disagreement over a statement said at UFC 157 last night. It was implied by the commentators that Dana White decided to let the women fight in the UFC merely based on Ronda Rousey. That is an insulting statement to those of us who work behind the scenes to get Women's MMA out there for the masses to see that they deserve the respect of all MMA promotions and fans.

Yes, Ronda may have finally convinced DW that women have a place in the UFC, but with the inception of Invicta Fighting Championships, he had no choice. I've said it before, and I will say it again. The women fight to win. How could you not give women's MMA a go after Invicta has proven over and over again that Female Fighters can carry an entire show and the fans are very enthusiastic for more. Case in Point, So many people tried to buy the last Invicta show on PPV stream that the servers over at Ustream crashed.

Don't get me wrong, I am super happy that women are fighting in the UFC. The UFC needed something new to breath life into their overexposed promotion. The women are that breathe. Please Dana, don't screw it up!

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