LOS ANGELES (AP) — The UFC is expanding its promotion of women’s mixed martial arts by opening a second weight class.
UFC President Dana White announced the move Wednesday.
The UFC has acquired the contracts of 11 strawweight fighters from Invicta FC, the respected MMA promotion focused on female fighters.
The 115-pounders will compete next year on a season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s competition reality show on Fox Sports 1. The winner of the competition will become the UFC’s first strawweight champion, White says.
The UFC opened a women’s bantamweight division last year, backtracking on White’s long-standing declaration that the UFC would never promote the women’s sport.
White says he has been thrilled by his sport’s reception for champion Ronda Rousey and the rest of the 135-pound women’s division.
