WME Signs MMA Fighter Ronda Rousey After Landmark UFC Win (Exclusive)

Mixed martial artist star and Olympic judo medalist Ronda Rousey has signed with WME.

Rousey was the first female fighter to join the UFC, becoming its first champion in the bantamweight category. As a judoka, she has won every fight in the first round by armbar, a fighting technique, and last year gained infamy when she broke an opponent’s arm.

Rousey became the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in Judo, capturing bronze at the Summer Games in Beijing.

On Feb. 23, Rousey, who is undefeated, defended her belt and won the UFC’s first women’s bout, beating Liz Carmouche in the first round of their bantamweight title fight at UFC 157.

While male fighters and athletes have a long tradition of crossing over from sport to screen, women are less known for making the transition. Gina Carano, another MMA fighter, famously segued into acting when she starred in the 2012 Steven Soderbergh action film Haywire. She also is set to appear in Fast & Furious 6.