UFC 157: A Historic Night for Women’s MMA

UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche took place on February 23, 2013, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The event marked the first women’s fight in UFC history and the first UFC card headlined by women. Ronda Rousey defended the inaugural UFC women’s bantamweight championship against Liz Carmouche, while Lyoto Machida edged Dan Henderson and Robbie Lawler returned to the promotion with a first-round stoppage of Josh Koscheck.

Event video: Rousey versus Carmouche, the first women’s bout in UFC history.

Rousey survives Carmouche’s early threat

Carmouche immediately showed that the historic main event would not be ceremonial. She took Rousey’s back and threatened with a neck crank, forcing the champion to defend from a dangerous position.

Rousey escaped, reversed control, and eventually isolated Carmouche’s right arm. The armbar forced the submission at 4:49 of round one, extending Rousey’s streak of first-round armbar victories and giving the UFC’s first women’s title fight a decisive finish.

Machida narrowly defeats Henderson

Lyoto Machida used movement, counterstriking, and selective attacks to frustrate Dan Henderson over three rounds. Henderson pressed forward and looked for his right hand, but Machida’s accuracy and evasiveness carried two scorecards. Machida won by split decision.

Faber submits Menjivar; Lawler announces his return

Urijah Faber climbed onto Ivan Menjivar’s back during a scramble and secured a rear-naked choke at 4:34 of round one. Robbie Lawler, returning to the UFC after years outside the promotion, stopped Josh Koscheck with punches at 3:57 of the first round.

Court McGee made his welterweight debut with a unanimous decision over Josh Neer. On the preliminaries, Brendan Schaub outpointed Lavar Johnson, Michael Chiesa submitted Anton Kuivanen, and Dennis Bermudez edged Matt Grice in a Fight of the Night that became one of the event’s most praised bouts.

Complete UFC 157 results

Main card

• Ronda Rousey def. Liz Carmouche — submission (armbar); round 1, 4:49. Rousey retained the UFC women’s bantamweight championship.
• Lyoto Machida def. Dan Henderson — split decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Urijah Faber def. Ivan Menjivar — submission (rear-naked choke); round 1, 4:34.
• Court McGee def. Josh Neer — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Robbie Lawler def. Josh Koscheck — TKO (punches); round 1, 3:57.

Preliminary card

• Brendan Schaub def. Lavar Johnson — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Michael Chiesa def. Anton Kuivanen — submission (rear-naked choke); round 2, 2:29.
• Dennis Bermudez def. Matt Grice — split decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Sam Stout def. Caros Fodor — split decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Kenny Robertson def. Brock Jardine — submission; round 1, 2:57.
• Neil Magny def. Jon Manley — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Nah-Shon Burrell def. Yuri Villefort — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.

UFC 157 permanently changed the promotion by establishing women’s MMA inside the Octagon, while also advancing Machida, Faber, Lawler, and several emerging prospects. Explore more of our MMA coverage.

Sources

UFC: official UFC 157 event results; UFC: Rousey makes history at UFC 157; Sherdog event record.

Article Tags

UFC 157, Ronda Rousey, Liz Carmouche, Mixed Martial Arts, UFC Results