Women’s MMA Report: UFC adds strawweight division. The MMA landscape is set to change once again when the UFC adds a second women’s weight class – the talent-rich 115-pound strawweight division – to its roster in 2014. UFC President Dana White announced the news on Dec. 11 and confirmed the division will launch during “The Ultimate Fighter 20,” which begins filming in May.
Unlike in past seasons of the long-running show in which winners earned trophies and six-figure contracts with the UFC, the “TUF 20” victor will be crowned the first UFC women’s strawweight champion. A total of 16 women will compete on the show, and 11 have already been named. All 11 fighters come to the UFC after having their contracts transferred from Invicta FC.
The star-studded lineup includes many of the top female fighters in the 115-pound weight class. Among them is Invicta FC strawweight champion Carla Esparza (9-2), who captured the title in January. Esparza has tasted defeat just once in her past seven fights and now looks to add another prestigious championship to her mantle.
Also confirmed for “TUF 20” is unbeaten Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Claudia Gadelha (11-0), who was scheduled to challenge for Esparza’s Invicta FC title earlier this month before an illness canceled the fight. Fast-rising star Tecia Torres (4-0) is seen by many as a potential “TUF 20″ finalist thanks to her three impressive victories this year. Highly touted Scottish striker Joanne Calderwood (8-0) will also compete on the show.
The remainder of the cast currently features Felice Herrig (9-5), Bec Hyatt (5-3), Juliana Lima Carneiro (6-1), Alexandra Chambers (4-1), Emily Kagan (3-1), Rose Namajunas (2-1) and Paige VanZant (3-1).
Notable exclusions from the roster include Japanese teen prodigy Mizuki Inoue (7-1), Finnish standout Katja Kankaanpaa (8-1-1) and St. Louis police officer Ashley Cummins (3-2). Inoue was offered a spot on the show, but title fight obligations in Japan and an obvious language barrier prompted her to decline the offer. She is expected to be a key factor in the Invicta FC title picture next year in light of Esparza’s departure.
With five spots remaining on the cast roster, tryouts will be held next year to determine the final 16-woman lineup. Filming for “TUF 20” begins in May, but a date for the show’s premiere episode has not yet been confirmed. In a unique move, the UFC has announced that all 11 fighters currently signed to the show will be paid not to fight prior to filming in an effort to limit injuries and last-minute changes. Invicta FC champion Esparza receives $40,000 to sit out while the remaining contestants each receive $32,000 apiece.
http://mmajunkie.com/2013/12/womens-...owns-new-champ 
...old news, but haven't head anyone discuss this yet. ^
