Michelle Montague has written her name into the UFC’s history books.

The 31-year-old has become the first New Zealand woman to join the world’s top mixed martial arts promotion, her management team announced.

Montague is reported to be making her debut at bantamweight against Brazilian Luana Carolina when the UFC returns with Downunder in Perth in September, and has shared posts of the fight being booked on social media.

The promotion has yet to confirm that bout is on the card, however.

All six of her professional wins have come by submission, and she has fought primarily with the Professional Fighter’s League throughout her career to date.

The move to the UFC comes a few months after she confirmed her status as a free agent on social media, indicating her desire to drop down to fight at bantamweight.

Hailing from Matamata, but based in Florida where she trains at the famed American Top Team gym, it’s a similar move to that made by teammate and now UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison.

Montague has had a nomadic journey in MMA, spending time training with Core MMA in Hamilton and City Kickboxing in Auckland before making the move over to the United States and settling at American Top Team.

While Montague is no longer based on home soil, Core MMA coach Carlo Meister remains a constant presence in her corner on fight nights.

- More to come

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.