Ultimate Fighting Championship shocked the mixed martial arts community when it was revealed that Ronda Rousey and a handful of other women bantamweight fighters would be making their way into the octagon. It was a no-brainer of a decision, but UFC President Dana White was always adamant that he would not having women fighting inside the octagon. However, fights between the likes of Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano, and Sara McMann convinced White not only of women getting an opportunity, but to open up the horizons for women outside the bantamweight division.
Fast forward several years later and the UFC now has three women’s weight classes with women headlining major cards. There is still room for growth for the UFC to better feature women, it seems like they’re heading in the right direction. The sport that once featured one-night tournaments between men is now a diverse, organized sport.
The man who walked out of the octagon with his hands raised in victory at the first UFC event, Royce Gracie, recently spoke out about women inside the octagon, however. He told FOX Sports:
“Nope, I’m not a big fan of it. I like the woman feminine. I don’t like to get home and get beat up. But hey, it’s a free country. They can do whatever they want.”