When Strikeforce is inevitably absorbed, what are the chances that the UFC does in fact add the women’s 135-pound division? Seems to me that Ronda Rousey’s star power, coupled with the fact that Miesha Tate, Sarah Kaufman, Alexis Davis and others actually represent a level of depth that once seemed elusive to women’s MMA and the prominent reason it hasn't been in the UFC. -- Jaime from Manchester
I really think the future of the division will depend on its state at the moment Strikeforce goes the way of WEC, but if it were to happen today, chances seem pretty good. In Rousey, the division has found a red-hot champion who can cause a commotion with trash talk almost as well as she can mangle arms. Of course, the tale of Gina Carano illustrates the dangers of hitching a division to an unbeaten and relatively inexperienced fighter, but on the plus side, Rousey doesn’t seem to have designs on becoming a movie star.
An even better sign on the executive end: UFC President Dana White, once harshly critical of women’s MMA, has of late spoken highly of the Strikeforce women’s 135-pound division, as has Zuffa chief Lorenzo Fertitta. Both have declared themselves fans of Rousey and Tate. This was before White declared himself “100-percent UFC” and hands-off with Strikeforce, but once Showtime is done “running that s---,” I find it hard to believe that Zuffa would simply walk away from such bankable talent.
As you mention, that’s what it comes down to: the talent. Whether true or not, White’s stock answer as to why the UFC won’t add women has always been the lack of depth. Until recently, it’s been a valid criticism, but things are changing rapidly. When it comes to potential stars, in addition to Rousey, Tate and Kaufmann, there’s Olympic wrestling silver medalist Sara McMann quickly building a solid résumé outside of Zuffa. There are budding talents like Liz Carmouche and Holly Holm, not to mention established vets like Vanessa Porto and Julie Kedzie.
In short, there’s certainly enough talent to populate a proper 135-pound division now, and just like with the UFC’s new flyweight division, I think we’d see plenty of fighters flocking as soon as it opened up. Whether the UFC would be willing to bring in women with only one truly viable weight class is another story, but if fans continue to show support for the women’s bouts in Strikeforce -- and if we keep getting exciting fights like Tate-Rousey -- the list of reasons not to will continue to shrink.