Ronda Rousey has an Olympic judo medal, a commanding presence and a merciless string of victories in her short mixed martial arts career.

Now she's finally got a showcase worthy of her formidable talent.

Rousey and Liz Carmouche will make history Saturday night at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., when they meet in the first women's bout in UFC history.

They're the main event at UFC 157, and Rousey is the star of the pay-per-view show. It's a remarkable rise in less than two years for Rousey, a bronze medallist at the Beijing Olympics who swiftly picked up MMA before her pro debut in March 2011.

After six straight victories by painful armbar submissions, Rousey is a huge favourite to retain the UFC women's bantamweight belt.