Female fighters in EA Sports UFC

EA Sports and UFC have announced that there will be playable female fighters in the upcoming EA Sports UFC that's set for release next spring. The announcement comes on the eve of the premiere of The Ultimate Fighter: Rousey vs Tate - the first time two female coaches go at it in the popular reality show (in fact there will be both female and male contestants living under the same roof). And naturally the first two female fighters confirmed for the game are champion Ronda Rousey and her next challenger Miesha Tate.

"This is a great moment for videogames and for Mixed Martial Arts," said Dean Richards, General Manager, EA SPORTS UFC. "In our commitment to delivering the most realistic fighting experience ever achieved, we wanted to represent the full spectrum of talent and diversity of all the fighters in the sport, including women who have become an undeniable force to be reckoned with."

"Since we added the Women's Bantamweight division earlier this year, the women have impressed everyone," said Dana White, UFC President. "The fights are always exciting, Ronda Rousey is as talented as any champion in the UFC and her rivalry with Miesha Tate is one of the most intense in UFC history. The female division has become a huge part of the UFC and fans will now be able to experience fighting with them in the game."

Now the question is whether this could be a trend setter for female inclusions in other EA Sports titles. Traditionally only female tennis players have made it into video games. Yeah, and the Dead or Alive girls in the volleyball game, but surely that doesn't count now, does it?