TMZ has broken the news that Ronda Rousey has signed with the UFC and will debut in early 2013. Rousey was not scheduled to fight on the upcoming January Strikeforce card on Showtime, which will be their last. Presumably the UFC will be able to buy or otherwise acquire Strikeforce talent including champions Gilbert Melendez, Nate Marquardt, and Luke Rockhold, and standouts Daniel Cormier, Lorenz Larkin, Gegard Mousasi, KJ Noons, Rafael Cavalcante, Miesha Tate, Gina Carano, Tim Kennedy, Ronaldo Souza, Sarah Kaufman, Jorge Masvidal, Robbie Lawler, Ryan Couture, Ovince St-Preux, Jordan Mein, Keith Jardine, and others. The January show is expected to be a blowout-type with three title fights plus Daniel Cormier vs. Dutch kickboxer Dion Staring.
The UFC has already signed Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate. No word yet on whether a rematch between the two will be the first WMMA fight booked.
