UFC Primetime' features emotional Ronda Rousey opening up on loss of father

With the UFC's first-ever female bout now just a little more than two weeks away, the promotion's full-court press begins with tonight's debut of "UFC Primetime: Rousey vs. Carmouche."

The first 30-minute episode of the three-part series debuts tonight on FOX Sports Net at 6 p.m. in most markets (check your local listings). Additionally a replay of the show airs tonight on FUEL TV (midnight ET), and FX, SPEED and UFC.com also are expected to carry replays.

The series' first episode focuses largely on Rousey's rapid ascension from a fighter/bartender struggling to pay rent to the current face of women's MMA. Her rise from Olympic judoka to MMA fighter is covered, as is her rigid training schedule, which takes place at a series of five separate Southern California gyms and requirea some 100 miles of driving and 16 hours of commitment per day.

However, it's the final five minutes of the show that will inevitably provide the most impact for hardcore fight fans. Rousey, generally seen as an outspoken, brash and "Rowdy" character cast along the lines of Chael Sonnen, opens up about her father's decision to take his own life and dealing with how the media has presented her struggles as a narrative in her career. It's a tear-filled segment in which the UFC champ questions her life's decisions and whether she's fully lived up to her father's hopes.

Meanwhile, Liz Carmouche – a woman who seems to be simply referred to as "Ronda Rousey's opponent" in some discussions – candidly talks about becoming comfortable with herself as an openly gay athlete and learning to be open with her sexuality. She's also presented as an incredibly hardworking athlete in her own right, spending 14 hours each day training in and serving as an employee of her home gym. It's the ultimate underdog story in many ways, but she intends to pull of the upset and "ruin the UFC's plans."

"UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche" takes place Feb. 23 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The evening's main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Face