Dana White: Ronda Rousey's first UFC bout to be on PPV

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

It's been almost two weeks since the announcement of the folding of Strikeforce and the UFC bringing in a women's division. After UFC 154, Dana White disclosed some more details on the future of WMMA in the UFC and plans for its champion Ronda Rousey.

Before Georges St. Pierre reclaimed his throne at UFC 154, the big news in the MMA world was the end of Strikeforce. Their event planned for mid-January will be the last for the former #2 promotion and many on their roster are expected to head to the UFC. The shortlist of expected transplants includes women's Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.

Following UFC 154, company president Dana White revealed some more of his intentions with the new women's division (via MMA Junkie):

White said Rousey was the only fighter currently signed to the UFC, though he said all female Strikeforce fighters were ultimately signed to UFC and Strikeforce parent company Zuffa.

"We're bringing in the 135-pound division," White said. "I'm trying this whole women's thing out. Obviously, Ronda is the champ. I think Ronda has the potential to be a big star. She's already getting media that we've never even gotten before, and she's never even set foot in the UFC yet. That's the division that we're bringing in. We're bringing in the 135-pound division."

White's emphasis on the 135 lb. division should help to clear up the weight class dispute from former Featherweight champion Cristiane Santos, who White says, "...doesn't seem too excited to fight Ronda." So, unless Cyborg finds a way to make it to the lighter division, her UFC prospects don't look favorable.

White said that he expects Rousey's first UFC fight to be on PPV. Unless a champion of greater note also appears on the card, Ronda will be the headliner. That fight will be Rousey's second title defense after taking the belt from Meisha Tate last March.