During an in-studio appearance on Wednesday’s UFC Tonight, No. 1 UFC women’s bantamweight challenger Cat Zingano talked injury woes, hopes at a title shot and, of course, women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate.
Told she’ll be next in line for a shot at the winner of December’s rematch between Rousey and Tate, Zingano doesn’t sound like she’s picking an upset. “You know, I’m not chasing Miesha,” said Zingano. “I already beat her so I’m really looking forward to Ronda winning that fight starting right back where I left off.”
Zingano claimed she is ‘absolutely’ confident in her ability to defend Rousey’s infamous armbar, but when asked how much time she’s dedicated to working on defense, she simply replied, “None.”
I think Ronda, in her back pocket, she always has that armbar in mind. No one’s really seen anything out of her yet. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have anything. Like I said before, just because she’s done it all the way up until now doesn’t mean she can do it to everyone, which is why I state my case on training for her. I’ve never trained for a single person I’ve fought. I’ve only trained to improve. That’s how I plan on continuing to go. I don’t know why I would change my game now.
Zingano was also asked to give her take on her TKO victory over Tate at the The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale back in April. Tate has been adamant in claiming the stoppage was premature and that referee Kim Winslow not only failed in her duties, but is ‘literally ruining peoples’ lives.’
You know, as a fighter, you can feel your opponent. You can tell that moment when they break and I feel like Miesha broke when we were already on the ground. I don’t think it was an early stoppage by any means. I felt like, if anything, she let it go. The first knee I threw, I felt like Miesha had her heart broken and that she was down for the count. Those knees after that were just kind of a gift I felt was given by the ref. I think Kim Winslow did a good job. I think she’s a good referee in that case and I really do think that was a good stoppage and I think Miesha knows it was, too.
Unfortunately, it sounds like Zingano’s recovery might last a bit longer than expected. After an ongoing recovery from a right knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, reports surfaced she had now suffered a possible torn meniscus in her left knee.
I’ve kind of had a battle with my knees for a while here. My left knee, because I think for the compensation for taking care of my right knee, has been taking a little bit more wear and tear than it was used to. When I went to the doctor on Monday I asked about some of the motions and the movements I’ve been going through that have been causing me pain. They say it’s indicative of something going on with my meniscus so I’m going to have a procedure done with stem cells (on Oct. 3) that is going to be in place of having clean up surgery instead.
Tate gets her chance at redemption when she faces Rousey for the women’s bantamweight strap Dec. 28, 2013 at UFC 168.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Werdum next in line. With three-straight victories, Fabricio Werdum says Dana White has told him he’s next in line for a shot at the UFC’s heavyweight title. “I had a meeting with Dana White and the first thing he asked me was if I wanted to fight one more time or wait to fight for the title. I didn’t even think twice.”
Bjorn responds to Dana. After UFC president Dana White claimed his company ‘has no value whatsoever,’ Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney says his recent partnership with FOX says otherwise. “the facts here are that the UFC’s Partners at FOX just made a multi-year commitment, worth tens of millions of dollars to the Bellator brand. If that doesn’t paint a clear picture on value, I don’t know what would.”
Chael goes after Wandy. Chael Sonnen breaks down his problem with Wanderlei Silva’s Olympia ambush on last night’s UFC Tonight. “First off, if you’re going to do a publicity stunt, do not bring your own camera. It looks staged, which it was. It insults your audience. Assume that they’re going to connect the dots. Show up somewhere where a camera is, and then go into your little routine.”
McCall’s gaff. Although he later clarified and apologized, UFC flyweight Ian McCall drew the ire of fans and fighters alike Wednesday after tweeting he ‘hates the homeless.’
“UFC-ya in court.” The UFC will move forward with their lawsuit against the state of New York after a federal judge agreed the state-wide ban on MMA infringed upon he liberties of fans and fighter.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Primetime: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3 – Episode 1
Luke’s latest live chat.
Quick interview with the Pettis brothers.
Jack Slack breaks down the striking of Artem Levin at Glory 10.
Nick Diaz works through some Rickson shoulder rolls trying to breakdance.
WHOA TV’s BAMMA 13 mixtape.
TWEETS
Ian McCall’s bad day got worse.
I hate the homeless … I don’t feel sorry for you. If you want change then let me throw it as hard as I can at your dirty face
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) October 2, 2013
Hate me all you want Ive been homeless n stung out. I changed that part of my life No sympathy for junkies who talk shit to me for no reason
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) October 2, 2013
@IKEVF I did it myself. I’m focusing on junkies here not PTSD and lay offs etc should have clarified. Its called hard work and not giving up
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) October 2, 2013
An actual superfight.
@TimKennedyMMA @sonnench @lyotomachidafw @vitorbelfort that would be a tough one to pull off
— Dana White (@danawhite) October 2, 2013
I think Cain probably heard it.
Did anyone else hear @junior_cigano say Cain hits like a girl? Haha can’t be more excited for this rematch #teamdossantos @ufc
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) October 3, 2013
Just do it.
It seems that only Me and Lamas don’t have fights booked. I’m willing to fight to prove I’m the man for the job!
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) October 2, 2013
Headed back to LA to get treated for my left knee, sounds promising! I’m excited &confidnt to come back all fixed up pic.twitter.com/aJx5m2MMg0
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) October 2, 2013
Sound good? Or overtraining?
Feeling super human today,trained twice b4 noon and have 2 more 2 go.. I haven’t felt like this in years. http://t.co/awCl4AdAHH
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) October 2, 2013
meanwhile…
So far gta v online is an epic failure! Hope they get all these problems fixed
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) October 3, 2013
Just make it legal.
I’m going to give yall a bloodbath dec. 14 hehehe 🙂 🙂 🙂
— Abel Trujillo (@AbelTrujillo1) October 2, 2013
Nice.
@MegaMeguCat thank you for being such an inspiration to myself & female fighters around the world!
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) October 2, 2013
Philosovidez.
What if Bruce Lee had a brother named Brock?? pic.twitter.com/HhF9vnDgnj
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) October 2, 2013
TUF reactions.
Totally understand @RondaRousey having a mom that was an athlete and coach adds a lot onto u as an athlete but it pays off!
— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) October 3, 2013
Sick armbar by Rondas mom while wearing jeans
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) October 3, 2013
Lol! That was good by my GF Miesha RT “@SnowMan2989: @MieshaTate Edmund LMAO #TUF18 pic.twitter.com/b4W1qAOgmB“
— Timmy Gorman (@TimmyGormanMMA) October 3, 2013
Ur a bad boy @DaveyGrantMMA 🙂
— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) October 3, 2013
Next week on #TUF18, #TeamTate‘s @RockyPMMA squares off against #TeamRousey‘s @jessamynduke. Not too early to take your pick…who ya got?
— The Ultimate Fighter (@TUFonFS1) October 3, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 2 2013)
Alexander Shlemenko vs. Doug Marshall at Bellator 108
Thales Leites vs. Ed Herman at UFC 167
Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Kyle at WSOF 7
Elvis Mutapcic vs. Jesse Taylor at WSOF 7
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Forbidden Psychological Technology.
“Caged Heat” Chapter 1: Blood on the Mat
“Hey Steve, clean that blood up off the mat. It’s grossing me out and a bunch of the parents were pissed last time the kid’s class found that tooth in the heavy bag. I don’t need any more of that shit, ESPECIALLY on a day like today.”
Steve Millman looked up from the mop he was wringing and gazed at his master. Iron Puma was sprawled out in the Laz-E Boy he’d dubbed the “Throne from Game of Thrones” with a wet dishrag over his eyes. Millman had seen Iron Puma in this state before and once again, as he had many times before, cursed Fate for making a man so immensely gifted in the martial arts and yet so flawed that he couldn’t help himself from that one, single temptation – Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Millman shook his head and chuckled softly as he resumed cleaning up the pool of strawberry pineapple-infused vomit that had greeted him this morning when he opened Iron Puma Martial Arts. Classic Iron Puma.
Check out the rest of the post here.
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