Fighter dubbed the ‘Russian Ronda Rousey’ has date set for UFC debut

Although Irina Alekseeva has just five professional fights under her belt, she’s already made quite a name for herself in mixed martial arts.

Nicknamed “Russian Ronda” for her grappling credentials that rival former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, Alekseeva is set to make her UFC debut on April 29 against Stephanie Egger at UFC Fight Night 223 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, as announced by the promotion.

The 32-year-old Alekseeva was a gold medalist at the Russian and European Sambo World Championships and she won three silver medals at the Russian Judo Championships. 

Rousey was the first American to medal in women’s judo at the Olympics when she won bronze in 2008. She was also the youngest competitor to qualify for the Olympic Games in judo when she did so at the age of 17 in 2004. The 36-year-old fighter-turned-pro wrestler also won a silver medal in judo at the 2007 World Judo Championships and a gold medal at the 2007 Pan American Games.