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Report: Strikeforce Champion Ronda Rousey to Join UFC in 2013, Strikeforce to Fold

Strikeforce bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will reportedly become the first female to join the UFC roster, according to TMZ.com.

The report also states that the move will coincide with the end of Strikeforce in the coming year, though parent company Zuffa has released no official statement on the matter. While TMZ reported that Rousey is expected to defend her new UFC title in 2013, neither a date nor an opponent were specified.

Currently, Strikeforce has scheduled a show for Jan. 12 that will feature a trio of title fights, as Gilbert Melendez, Nate Marquardt and Luke Rockhold defend their belts against Pat Healy, Tarec Saffiedine and Lorenz Larkin, respectively. The event takes place at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City and airs on Showtime.

Rousey, 25, has been perfect as a mixed martial artist thus far, racking up six first-round finishes in as many outings. The 2008 Olympic judo bronze medalist made her Strikeforce debut last year, posting back-to-back wins as a featherweight before winning the bantamweight title from Miesha Tate in her 135-pound debut. Known for her deadly straight armbar, Rousey defended her title for the first time on Aug. 18, submitting former champion Sarah Kaufman with her favorite technique in just 54 seconds.

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Report-Strikeforce-Champion-Ronda-Rousey-to-Join-UFC-in-2013-Strikeforce-to-Fold-47207