Picha ya Mikopo: Esther Lin / MMA Kupambana

Given that it’s tax season, it’s a good time to remember that are there three guarantees in life: death, taxes and Ronda Rousey once again showing why she is the best female fighter on the planet with a first-round demolition of her opponent.

Rousey’s performance at UFC 184 last month was her finest to date. She submitted Cat Zingano, widely regarded as Rousey’s biggest challenge, katika 14 sekunde. While Rousey was aided by an absolutely horrible strategy by Zingano, her virtuoso performance led to another discussion of who has what it takes to dethrone Rousey. It also led to a ridiculous conversation of whether or not Rousey could compete against and defeat male fighters in the UFC’s bantamweight division. The less time spent on that absurd notion that accomplishes nothing but trying to discredit the great fighter Rousey is, the better.

Bila shaka, the first name that always comes up is Cris “Cyborg” Justino, the Invicta FC featherweight champion. She is expected to drop to 135 pounds for a fight with Invicta this summer before moving on to a fight with Rousey. Hata hivyo, Cyborg attempted a drop to bantamweight last year and abandoned those plans. So I wouldn’t hold my breath on the long-awaited grudge match between Rousey and Cyborg happening anytime soon.

Rousey recently expressed a desire to fight Bethe Correia, ambaye alipiga wachezaji wenzake wawili wa Rousey "Wanne wa farasi" na amekuwa kumwita Rousey tangu wakati huo. Jessica Eye pia amedai madai yake ya kupigwa risasi, lakini hakuna hata mmoja wa wanawake hawa anayeleta tishio kwa Rousey. Wakati wa chanjo ya baada ya vita ya UFC 184, Daniel Cormier aliandika wazo la mwenzake Miesha Tate kupata ufa wa tatu huko Rousey.

Licha ya ukweli nadhani trilogies inapaswa kuhifadhiwa tu wakati kila mpiganaji ana ushindi juu ya mwingine, Sioni sababu kwa nini mara ya tatu itakuwa haiba kwa Tate. Wakati yeye ndiye mwanamke pekee anayepita zaidi ya raundi ya kwanza na Rousey, Tate ametamba kama mpiganaji wakati Rousey amepata nafuu. Ikiwa wawili hao wangepigana mara ya tatu, Sioni sababu ya kuamini matokeo yatakuwa tofauti.

Kwa hivyo hii inaondoka wapi? Kwa maoni yangu, amesafisha mgawanyiko wa watoto wa kike wa UFC. Hakuna mtu ambaye analeta tishio la kuaminika kwake. Ikiwa Zingano alirekebisha mkakati wake na akapokea risasi nyingine huko Rousey, anaweza kuwa na nafasi ya kushinda. Zaidi ya hapo, ikiwa Rousey aliamua kwenda juu na kujenga juu ya kazi yake ya filamu inayoendelea, Sidhani kama mtu yeyote angeshikilia dhidi yake.

Rousey kwa sasa yuko mbio sawa na mbio ya Anderson Silva juu ya mgawanyiko wa uzani wa kati wa UFC. Alitawala kila mtu katika njia yake na isipokuwa pambano lake la kwanza na Chael Sonnen, ilifanya ionekane rahisi. Mapigano magumu zaidi ya Rousey hadi leo yalikuwa dhidi ya Liz Carmouche, wakati alikuwa na Rousey nyuma ya choke ya uchi uchi katika raundi ya kwanza ya pambano lao 2013 before Rousey was able to escape and secure another armbar victory.

Silva’s reign atop the middleweight division came to an end when the previously unknown Chris Weidman came along and showed no fear and took the fight to Silva. Maybe that’s what needs to happen with Rousey. She needs to find an opponent who will get right in her face, give her no quarter and take the fight to her. Zingano attempted that at UFC 184, but her overzealousness ended up costing her dearly.

Until Rousey finds her own Chris Weidman, we can add another superlative to the many that are already attached to the women’s bantamweight champion: cleaner. Rousey is fresh out of worthy challengers to her crown, a task she accomplished by cleaning out her division.

Chris Huntemann anaandika kuhusu mchanganyiko karate katika hali ya Maryland. He also shares his thoughts on the UFC, Bellator, na World Series ya Kupambana. Angalia yake blog, au kumfuata katika Twitter: mmamaryland.