Joe Rogan paused his UFC 319 analysis to shout out one of the promotion’s most important combatants.
Women’s MMA has come a long way since Ronda Rousey featured in the UFC’s first all-female main event in the promotion’s history. Rousey, who made waves in Strikeforce before joining the UFC roster, kicked off her legendary bantamweight title reign with a dominant performance at UFC 157.
UFC CEO Dana White previously said that women would never compete in the Octagon as long as he was at the helm. But Rousey’s undeniable star power and ‘it’ factor persuaded White to open the Octagon up to females all around the world.
The result? Legends like Amanda Nunes, Kayla Harrison, and Rousey have changed their lives in and out of the Octagon.
Joe Rogan tips the cap to Liz Carmouche after her stunning PFL Tournament win
Joe Rogan returned to the UFC broadcast desk for UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago. The stacked card was headlined by a middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.
Rogan is a historian of MMA and was a fan of the sport even before the UFC came to fruition in 1993. His knowledge of the ins and outs of MMA technique, accomplishments, and all-time greats is undeniable.
Earlier this weekend, one of the pioneers of women’s MMA earned a major world championship belt after turning 41-years-old. Rogan made sure her accomplishment was recognized midway through the UFC 319 broadcast.
During the UFC 319 prelims fight between strawweights Loopy Godinez and Jessica Andrade, Rogan made sure to laud one of the pioneers of women’s MMA.
“By the way, shout out to Liz Carmouche!” Rogan said.
“First woman to ever enter the UFC Octagon, and at 41, won the PFL tournament last night.
“Yes sir, by KO! Shout out to Liz!”
Liz Carmouche fought Rousey at UFC 157, losing by first-round submission. 12 years later, and Carmouche won the PFL flyweight tournament championship by knocking out Jena Bishop on Friday in Charlotte.
Carmouche, 41, became a Bellator women’s flyweight champion just a few fights removed from her final UFC appearance against Valentina Shevchenko in 2019. Carmouche defended the Bellator flyweight title three times before the promotion was purchased by PFL.
Liz Carmouche was the first woman to enter the UFC Octagon on a historic card
Rousey went on a UFC Hall of Fame run featuring wins over Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano, and Bethe Correia. She left MMA following back-to-back lopsided defeats to Holly Holm and Nunes.
Rousey got the MMA world talking recently when she posted new footage of her returning to MMA training. This prompted comeback speculation, which was further fueled by a UFC legend alleging Rousey told him about her planned return to MMA.
Rousey entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018 and holds numerous promotional records, including a record-setting 14-second finish over Zingano at UFC 184.