Since nearly breaking Miesha Tate’s arm to capture the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight strap back in 2012, Ronda Rousey has been on a meteoric rise to superstardom.
After Strikeforce folded earlier this year, Rousey was named the UFC’s first women’s bantamweight champ.
Rousey successfully defended her belt in the organization’s inaugural women’s bout at UFC 157. She finished challenger Liz Carmouche, as most predicted, via first-round armbar.
At The Ultimate Fighter 17 finale, Cat Zingano took on Tate for not only the No. 1 contendrship, but also the opportunity to coach opposite Rousey on the upcoming 18th season of TUF.
Tate looked strong early, but Zingano weathered the storm.
“Cupcake” faded in the third round, and Zingano unleashed a barrage of vicious knees that put an end to her night. The victory put “Alpha’s” record at a perfect 8-0.
Many MMA fans feel that the female fighter with the best chance of defeating Rousey is fellow Olympian Sara McMann.
However, Zingano showed in her scrap with Tate that she has all of the intangibles to unseat Rousey and become the undisputed queen of the women’s bantamweight division.