Cat Zingana signs to get beat up by Rousey at 178

Cat Zingano officially put an end to any hopes of a Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano pairing in the immediate future with her technical knockout victory against Amanda Nunes at UFC 178.


UFC President Dana White confirmed the promotion’s plans to have Zingano challenge Rousey next during the post-event press conference. White also added the bout will likely take place at UFC 182 on Jan. 3 in Las Vegas.


The matchup is 17 months overdue for Zingano, as she was supposed to have fought “Rowdy” at UFC 168 before falling victim to two separate knee injuries. Zingano was also slated to coach alongside Rousey on “The Ultimate Fighter.”


For the plan to go back into effect, Zingano knew she needed a victory on Saturday.


“I’m really glad I got through my first fight back from the injury tonight. I think I was really tested out there on top, on bottom, and on the feet. I wanted to be aggressive and come out firing straight away, but I got a little careless and started getting beat up in that first round,” Zingano said. “The throws were just a matter of me incorporating my old wrestling training. I use those a lot in training, but I don’t get many chances in the fights. When you’re out there it just all sort of flows and it worked.”


If Zingano had not been able to pull out a win, all signs were pointing to Carano coming into the UFC and being thrust into the title picture. Not only has the UFC brass pushed for it, but Rousey has publicly stated she wanted the fight too. Zingano had plenty to say in the emotional aftermath of her victory. White explained during the press conference that the No. 1 contender screamed at him after the fight if he “saw her.”


“Yes, I see you,” White said. “This was the ‘shut up about Gina Carano fight,’ I think.”


It worked. While White said that he may have been hesitant to believe Zingano could come back into the fray after such a long time on the shelf and make an immediate impact, her performance on the main card dispelled of his doubts.


“I think that’s the statement she wanted to make, and she made it loud and clear,” White said. “She’s been away for awhile; she had some injuries; she’s dealing with some personal problems. She is back. I think the fans can see her, and she needed to remind everybody why she was in line for a title fight. She did it tonight.”


For her part, Zingano is eager to try and claim her place atop the women’s bantamweight division.


"I'm ready," Zingano said. "It's my time; I'm ready."

Cat's funeral pushed back to February

Quote:

---

Ronda Rousey’s next bantamweight title defense will come a little bit later than expected.

UFC President Dana White announced via Instagram on Wednesday that Rousey will square off against Cat Zingano in the UFC 184 co-headliner on Feb. 28. Previously, White said that Rousey-Zingano serve as the co-main event at UFC 182 on Jan. 3. No reason was given for the change.


UFC 184 takes place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and is highlighted by a middleweight title tilt pitting Chris Weidman against Vitor Belfort. The evening’s main card will air on pay-per-view.


Rousey is unbeaten in 10 professional appearances, including four in the UFC. In her most recent outing, the Olympic judoka finished Alexis Davis in 16 seconds at UFC 175. Rousey also owns triumphs overSara McMann, Miesha Tate and Liz Carmouche in the Octagon.


After more than a year layoff, Zingano made a triumphant return at UFC 178, stopping Amanda Nunes via technical knockout 1:21 into the third round of their 135-pound scrap. The 32-year-old Broomfield, Colo., native debuted in the Octagon at the “TUF 17” finale, where she stopped Tate to become the division’s No. 1 contender. However, a knee injury prevented Zingano from capitalizing on that opportunity.

---