UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has taken a direct route to becoming one of the promotions top stars.  She has carved her way through the five opponents she's faced since joining the UFC to earn her unblemished record.  Here is a look at the five bouts that have created Rousey's legacy.

February 23, 2013

UFC 157

vs. Liz Carmouche – Submission (armbar) at 4:49 of 1st Round

In the first ever women's fight in UFC history, Rousey defended the belt she was awarded as the final Strikeforce champion in the same weight division.  After getting caught in a standing choke early in the fight, Rousey shrugged off her opponent and after a three minute battle on the ground, locked in an armbar to score the first round victory.

"I was actually less nervous walking out than I was for some of my earlier fights," said Rousey after the fight. "I felt like the UFC champion and I know how hard I am working. This was a wild ride and I can't wait to get back in the Octagon."

December 28, 2013

UFC 168

vs. Miesha Tate – Submission (armbar) at 0:58 of 3rd Round

In her second bout against rival Miesha Tate, Rousey was forced deeper into a fight than she had ever been in her career.  The two fighters went toe to toe for the first two rounds, including Tate escaping a second round armbar attempt.  After exchanging punches and Tate surviving many takedowns, the challenger was finally forced to tap out to a third round armbar to end the fight.  

After the fight ended, Tate tried to shake hands with Rousey, a gesture the champion refused, causing the fans that cheered her throughout the fight to boo her as she tried to give her post fight interview.

"A handshake means something to me and she hasn't earned that from me," said Rousey. "You really can't take back what she's done until she actually formally apologizes to me and my team."

Ronda Rousey

February 22, 2014

UFC 170

vs. Sara McMann – TKO (knee) at 1:06 of 1st Round

Rousey faced Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, a fight that was billed as a battle of Olympic medalists as the champion earned a bronze in judo at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the challenger captured silver in wrestling at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

For the first time in Rousey's career, she finished a fight with something other than an armbar, when McMann fell to the canvas after taking a knee to the body and then a few punches while on the ground.  Referee Herb Dean immediately stopped the fight.

"I promised my coaches I would drop her with a body shot," said Rousey in the post fight presser. "I called it."

July 5, 2014

UFC 175

vs. Alexis Davis – KO (punches) at :16 of 1st Round

Rousey, Davis both make weight for UFC 178, no fireworks as fighters square off Article Image 0Canadian Alexis Davis was the next to step into the Octagon though she wasn't in there for very long, falling just 16 seconds into the opening round.  Davis landed a jab to open the fight before Rousey stunned her with a punch, flipped her to the ground and fired off 10 straight punches before referee Yves Lavigne stopped the match.

Davis was so out of it after taking the punches that she instinctively tried to shoot for a takedown on Lavigne before regaining her senses.

"I want to retire undefeated being known as one of the greatest of all-time and that takes a lot more work than what I've done so far," said Rousey.

February 28, 2015

UFC 184

vs. Cat Zingano – Submission (straight armbar) at :14 of 1st Round

It took Rousey one fight to set a new personal best when she dispatched undefeated challenger Cat Zingano in just 14 seconds, setting a record for the shortest title fight in UFC history.

Zingano rushed at Rousey as the fight began looking for a takedown.  Though at first she seemed successful, the champion reversed the position and gained the upper hand in Ronda Rouseythe match.

Rousey improved her position, caught Zingano's arm and forced the tapout just 14 seconds into the match.

"I like the quick fights," said Rousey. "The longer the matches are, the shorter my career will be. I like them being short because I want to do this as long as possible."