8 Star-Making Performances In The UFC

Ronda Rousey is unquestionably the biggest star in the history of women's MMA and likely in all of combat sports. But that does not mean that she is the best female fighter in the history of the UFC, a fact that would become unquestionably clear at UFC 207.

By the time she faced Rousey in 2016, Amanda Nunes had already captured the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship with a dominating performance against Miesha Tate at the flagship UFC 200 event to become the first LGBT champion in the organisation's history. However, in the aftermath of Rousey's hiatus following her loss to Holly Holm, much of the spotlight from the wider sports media once cast on the division had disappeared.

Rousey's return at UFC 207 meant the return of the mainstream attention and Nunes did not waste her opportunity to showcase her skills while in the limelight.

Capitalising on Ronda's porous striking defence, The Lioness was relentless with her attack from the opening bell, completely disregarding her opponent's vaunted judo skills and peppering the former champion with a series of combinations that Rousey had seemingly no answer for. Just 48 seconds into the first round, referee Herb Dean had seen enough and mercifully stepped in to avoid Rousey taking any further punishment.

With Rousey's subsequent transition into the world of professional wrestling, Nunes had cleared the division of its most recognisable star, allowing the Brazilian to start earning more mainstream recognition for her own considerable achievements inside the Octagon.