Brooke Carlucci trains with other students in a Mixed Martial Arts class at the UFC Gym in La Mirada, California. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Enter Ronda

The beginning of the end of MMA as a boys' club came eight years ago when Ronda Rousey, at the time an Olympic judo star who took a bronze medal in Beijing, found a new direction in the combat sport.

Now 29, she is the world's most famous woman fighter. She is also the world's eighth most highly paid sportsperson, with an annual income of around $6.5 million including $3.5 from advertising.

Rousey's powerful presence in the ring, her intelligent handling of her fame, her shrewd businesswoman's instincts, her wide appeal and her beauty all have helped turn her into one of the most influential figures in sports worldwide.

Strong, and proud of it

The "Ronda Rousey effect" has gone a long way in recent years toward sparking the surge in women around the country stopping into gyms to give MMA a go.

"She has unquestionably brought an influx of young girls and women into MMA," says Josh Gross who has been covering the sport for years.

"I don't think there's any question Rousey's influence has made women look at MMA and see it as not so much a thing of violence or reckless behavior or brutality."

Rousey is adamant about encouraging women not to shy away from MMA.

"They've never had the idea that it was possible to be there before. She's almost a superhero to them," Gross adds.

Genevieve Soszynski can back that up.