Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche main event title fight booked for UFC 157 on Feb. 23 in Anaheim

It's official.

Former Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey, who relinquished her belt to become the new Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 135-pound titleholder, will headline the upcoming UFC 157 event on Feb. 23, 2013 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Her opponent?

Former Strikeforce bantamweight Liz Carmouche. While it's not the Cristiane Santos bout mixed martial arts (MMA) fans were hoping for, UFC President Dana White said that "Girl-Rilla" was the only one willing to step up and ask for the fight when the call went our for the Brazilian's replacement.

"Rowdy" Ronda said not to be impatient, as a showdown against "Cyborg" will happen "eventually."

White broke the news during today's UFC on FOX 5 pre-fight press conference (see it here), awarding Rousey her title and announcing the Carmouche bout. Not only does it make history as the first female fight inside the Octagon, it's also the first one to headline a UFC pay-per-view (PPV).

And it's been a long time coming.

Rousey (6-0) has electrified the world of combat sports with her devastating ground game, ending all six of her professional MMA fights by way of first-round submission (armbar). In addition, she tore through the amateur ranks, needing less than two minutes (combined) to end all three of her fights.

But don't expect her opponent to be intimidated.

Carmouche (7-2) is a Marine Corps combat veteran and no stranger to title fights, having done the dance with Marloes Coenen under the Strikeforce banner in early 2011. She's coming off back-to-back-wins (and finishes) over Ashleigh Curry and Kaitlin Young for Invicta FC.

Nevertheless, expect "Girl-Rilla" to be a massive underdog come fight night.

UFC 157 is also expected to feature a 205-pound contest between Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida while Urijah Faber returns to face Ivan Menjivar in 135-pound action.

See more on the upcoming UFC 157 event by clicking here.