Tag Archives: cat zingano

Bellator, mixta bellicis artibus, MMA, Showtime

Former Title Challenger John Salter Meets Undefeated Johnny Eblen During Main Card of BELLATOR 276 on March 12

Leave a comment

TOP FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDERS CAT ZINGANO AND PAM SORENSON WILL BATTLE ON PRELIMINARY CARD, ALONG WITH PIVOTAL WELTERWEIGHT CLASH BETWEEN DEREK ANDERSON VS. GOITI YAMAUCHI

TOP PROSPECTS ROMERO COTTON, CODY LAW, ROMAN FARALDO ALSO SET FOR ACTION

A group of men Description automatically generated with medium confidence

LOS ANGELES – A plethora of fantastic fighters armed with world-title aspirations have joined the stackedBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellcard on Saturday, March 12. SHOWTIME will televise the mammoth main card live from inside the Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo., at9 p.m. ET / VI p.m. PT.

Former title challenger and No. 2 praeferebantur-John Salter (18-5), as well as undefeated BELLATOR MMA No. 3-praeferebanturJohnny Eblen(10-0), and women’s No. 2 FeatherweightCat Zingano(12-4) hope to take the next step toward BELLATOR MMA gold as they join the four co-headline brawlers currently ranked among the upper echelon of their respective divisions.

Featured among the magnificent MMA melees will be three of the top-ten middleweights, five undefeated and one unblemished amateur, four top-two contenders, and ten fighters ranked along with BELLATOR MMA’s elite.

In consectetur vesperi, Adam Borics (17-1) atqueMads Burnell(16-3), two featherweights currently tied at No. 2 in the official BELLATOR MMA rankings, will square off for a future shot at the BELLATOR 145-pound world title. In co-featured bout, former BELLATOR Light Heavyweight Champion, 13-time BELLATOR veteran, et non. 2-praeferebanturPhil Davis (23-6, 1 NC) will open his 2022 campaign against No. 4 Julius Anglickas(10-2), who most recently challenged for the 205-pound title. Superaddita, the main card will spotlight an international lightweight extravaganza as undefeated New Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team memberJay-Jay Wilson (8-0) of Auckland, New Zealand, moves up in weight to meet Dagestan, Russia scriptorGadzhi Rabadanov(16-4-2), who is coming off a first-round knockout in his promotional debut atBELLATOR MMA 263 in July 2021.

Prior to the consequential co-featured contests, a pair of top middleweights will round out the main card as Salter and Eblen square off for a shot at the winner of the upcoming world title bout pitting 185-pound Champion Gegard Mousasi against No. 1-praeferebantur Austin Vanderford at BELLATOR MMA 275 later this month in Dublin, Hibernia.

Armed with an 8-2 BELLATOR record, Salter, a 15-year pro MMA veteran out of Nashville, Tenn., holds the promotional record for most submissions in BELLATOR MMA middleweight history, and has stopped 17 eius 23 adversarios. Nicknamed “Diamond Hands” due to his love for crypto currency and willingness to hold onto his investments, Eblen is coming off a 71-second annihilation of Collin Huckbody atBELLATOR MMA 272in December 2021. The six-time BELLATOR MMA veteran and American Top-Team product, who recently signed a six-fight BELLATOR contract extension, has secured six opening-round stoppages, including two of his three 2021 adversarios.

In addition to the magnificent main card, a veritable cornucopia of pulsating preliminary punch ups will commence the preeminent night of action, including a Minnesota midwestern melee pitting former UFC title challenger and Winona, Ex., native Zingano against No.7-ranked lightweightPam Sorenson(9-4) of Blaine, A.

Set to make her third straight BELLATOR MMA appearance with aspirations of challenging BELLATOR MMA Women’s Welterweight World ChampionCris Cyborg, Zingano has had a decorated fighting career. The former NCAA Division III All-American wrestler became the first mother to compete in the UFC and initial woman to capture the company’s “Fight of the Night” award, counting victories over Miesha Tate, Amanda Nunes, Marion Reneau, and Gabrielle Holloway. Nuper, “Alpha” was featured in the series “Double Duty” that chronicled the attempts to maintain a balance between the daily responsibilities of parenthood and earning a living as a pro athlete.

A former Invicta FC women’s featherweight champion, Sorenson started kickboxing after the passing of her best friend. After vacating her crown and requesting a release from Invicta in July 2021, the Minneapolis mauler signed a multi-fight deal with BELLATOR MMA in mid-2021. Soon after joining the pioneering company, the 35-year-old recorded a hard-fought split decision over Roberta Samad atBELLATOR MMA 264 in Uncasville, Conn.

Also featured will be a bruising brawl pitting two hard-hitting heavyweights with seven career stoppages apiece as No. 8-praeferebanturAlex “Eazy” Polizzi (9-1) of Madison, Wisc., clashes with Team Pitbull’sJose “Guru” Augusto (7-3, 1 NC). Superaddita, San Diego, Ill. native, 11-time BELLATOR MMA veteran, et non. 6-praeferebantur“Barbaric” Derek Anderson(17-4, 1 NC) will mix it up with submission specialist, BELLATOR Brazilian bruiser, and Japanese-bornGoiti Yamaguchi (26-5), in a worldwide welterweight war.

Praeterea, added toBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellis a memorable middleweight match pitting undefeated, Do Not. 6-ranked 185-pounder and owner of three consecutive stoppagesRomero Cotton (5-0) of Hutchinson, Kansas, who will bravely battle the horrors of“The Boogeyman” Lance Wright (5-2). Insuper, former Division II All-American wrestler and fantastic featherweightCody Law(5-0), fresh off his third opening-round finish, strives to avoid being scared off by“Phantom” Johnny Soto (5-2) of Escondido, Ill.

Continuing the unforgettable night of amazing action, undefeated welterweight and American Top-Team memberRoman Faraldo (6-0) will make his fourth consecutive promotional appearance when he challenges BELLATOR MMA rookieKelvin Rayford (5-3), while local combatantJordan Howard (10-5) of Jefferson City hopes to thrill the Missouri faithful against Athens, Illinois’ ownTrevor Ward(5-5). Two flyweights will test their skills as well, cumDiana Avsaragova(4-0) of Russia welcomesAshley Deen (5-6) to BELLATOR. Postremo, a Show-Me State lightweight showdown between BELLATOR beginnerDan Busch (4-1) makes his sixth straight Missouri appearance by confronting St. Louis’Josh Augustine (5-2).

The thrilling preliminary fights will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Nullam enimBELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnellare on sale now at bothTicketmaster.com atqueBellator.com

BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnell Main Card:

Saturday, March 12 – live on SHOWTIME

9 p.m. ET / VI p.m. PT

Featherweight Main Event: #2-Adam Borics (17-1) vs. #2-Mads Burnell (16-3)

Lux Heavyweight Co-Main Event: #2-Phil Davis (23-6, 1 NC) vs. #4-Julius Anglickas (10-2)

Middleweight Bout: #2-John Salter (18-5) vs. #3-Johnny Eblen (10-0)

Lightweight Bout: Jay-Jay Wilson (8-0) vs.Gadzhi Rabadanov (16-4-2)

CARD PRIMUS:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV

6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

Featherweight Bout: #2-Cat Zingano (12-4) vs. #7-Pam Sorenson (9-4)

Lux Heavyweight Bout: #8-Alex Polizzi (9-1) vs.Jose Augusto (7-3, 1 NC)

Welterweight Bout: #6-Marcus Tullius Cicero (17-4-1) vs.Goiti Yamaguchi (26-5)

Middleweight Bout: #6-Romero Cotton (5-0) vs.Lance Wright(5-2)

flyweight bout: Diana Avsaragova (4-0) vs.Ashley Deen (5-6)

Featherweight Bout: Cody Law (5-0) vs. Johnny Soto (4-2)

Welterweight Bout: Roman Faraldo (6-0) vs.Kelvin Rayford (5-3)

Bantamweight Bout: Jordan Howard (10-5) vs.Trevor Ward (5-5)

Lightweight Bout: Dan Busch (4-1) vs.Josh Augustine (5-2)

*Card subject to change.

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events

Sat., Feb. 19 / / BELLATOR MMA 274: Gracie vs. Storley // Arena Mohegan Sun // Uncasville, Conn.

Liberum. Feb. 25 // BELLATOR MMA 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford // 3Arena // Dublin, IRE

Sat. March 12 // BELLATOR MMA 276: Borics vs. Burnell //The Family Arena // S.. Louis

Liberum. May 6 // BELLATOR PARIS: Bader vs. Kongo 2 // Accor Arena // Paris, FRA

Liberum. May 13 // BELLATOR LONDON: Amosov vs. MVP // The SSE Arena, Wembley // London

****

About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Sub quorum ordinatione promotoris pugnam veteranus Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In Iunctus Civitas, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, vivunt eventus orchestration, Pugnator development / relations, venue procuratione, auctore creatura / development, international licentiae, venalicium, vendo, et vulgaret parentes commissione. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Ill. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, faces, qui coniungunt domum ad mundi SUMMUS hospitii contentus coactis trans Audientiis per television, motus picture, Vestibulum et mobile online.

Bellator, mixta bellicis artibus, MMA, Showtime

FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 256: BADER VS. MACHIDA 2

Leave a comment
A picture containing text, person Description automatically generated
Complete Fight Night Photos Here
Post-Fight Interviews available on the BELLATOR PR YouTube Channel

Uncasville, Conn. - Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2 is officially in the books.

The BELLATOR MMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix rolls on as Bellator MMA returns next Friday, Aprilis 16 in SHOWTIME, cum Vadim Nemkov defends his light heavyweight world title against former championPhil Davis atque Corey Anderson welcomes Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov to the BELLATOR Cage in the event’s co-headliner. The opening round culminates on SHOWTIME on May 7 cum Anthony “Rumble” Johnson atque Yoel Romero square off at BELLATOR MMA 258, a massive event headlined by a bantamweight world title fight featuring Juan Archuleta vs. Sergio Pettis.



Diagram Description automatically generated



BELLATOR MMA 256: Bader vs. Machida 2 Main Card:
#1-Ryan Bader (28-6, 1 NC) victum #4-Lyoto Machida (26-11) via suasuri (49-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Bader “I don’t know who I’d rather face next. I don’t know much about [Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov] but I know Corey [Anderson] really well. I brought him in for training camps for Phil Davis. He’s a good guy so I’m rooting for him. But if I have to fight him, I know he’s tough. I’m in this tournament and I ran through another tournament before. I had fun so that’s why I came down here. It doesn’t matter who’s in my way. I want that belt back and this was the first step right here.

“There’s redemption this whole tournament. I got one back on Machida but I’ve lost to Nemkov and I’ve lost to Anthony Johnson, so I would like to meet one of them in the finals. But honestly, to make it to the finals and fight for the belt, I’d be happy with whoever it is.”

#2-Liz Carmouche (15-7) victum Vanessa Porto (22-8) via suasuri (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Carmouche: “As soon as they say I’m clear and I’m good, I’m ready to get right back into fighting camp and go for the belt. If I don’t get a title shot, I’d be disappointed of course. I came in here with the hopes that I would work up the ranks to fight for the title. I just need to know what I need to do. You tell me who I need to beat to get that fight and I’ll do it. I certainly hope that taking somebody who has more fights than I do and beating her tonight would put me in contention for that belt.”

#3-Adam Borics (17-1) defeated#8-Jeremy Kennedy (16-3, 1 NC) via suasuri (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Borics: “I don’t care who my next opponent is, but just give me the winner of the [Featherweight World Grand Prix] tournament. I’m definitely next in line. My goal is to get the winner but let’s see what BELLATOR wants. I am really happy I got this opportunity to fight during these crazy times. I feel that I am ready for a title. I have eight or nine fights with BELLATOR so yes, I would like to fight for the title next.”

#3-Cat Zingano (12-4) victum Olivia Parker (4-2) via deditionem (armbar) at 2:56 of una circum
Zingano: “I want to go against the best. I know who’s the best. I know these two girls [Cris Cyborg and Leslie Smith] have a fight coming up in a couple months and I’d love to get a shot at the belt over here in BELLATOR. That would mean a lot to me.”

Dan Moret (15-6) victum #3-Yamauchi up (25-5) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Rising welterweight star Jaron “Boots” Ennis was interviewed on the telecast ahead of his SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING main event debut tomorrow night against former 140-pound world champion Sergey Lipinets.

“You’re going to see a lot of speed, potestas, and me having fun. It’s about making statements and getting knockouts at the end of the night,” said the 23-year-old Ennis, who will be taking on the toughest challenge of his career in Lipinets as he pursues a world title shot. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for me to headline my first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and it’s the start of me being a pay-per-view star. It’s only up after this. It’s time for me to do my thing tomorrow night.”

Praevium Card:
Dalton Rosta (5-0) victum Tony Johnson (9-3) via suasuri (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Talita Nogueira (8-2) victum Jessica Borga (3-3) via suasuri (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
#10-Jornel Lugo (6-0) victum #8-Cass Bell (5-2) via suasuri (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody Law (3-0) victum Nathan Ghareeb (2-1) via suasuri (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jaylon Bates (2-0) victum Jeffrey Glossner (2-2) via deditionem (guillotine) at 1:27 rotundi duo
Nainoa Dung (4-2) victum Izzy William (4-4) via suasuri (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Diana Avsaragova (3-0) victum Tara Graff (1-3) via knockout (pugnis) at :29 of una circum
John Douma (5-2) victum Will Smith (3-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Placere visitabo Bellator.com pro additional notitia.
Bellator, DAZN, mixta bellicis artibus, MMA

OFFICIAL BELLATOR 245: DAVIS VS. MACHIDA 2 RESULTS AND PHOTOS

Leave a comment
Complete Event Photos Here

Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2 Main Card:
Phil Davis (22-5, 1 NC) victum Lyoto Machida (26-10) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Cat Zingano (11-4) victum Gabby Holloway (6-6) via suasuri (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Taylor Johnson (6-1) victum Et ait Ruth: (8-3) via deditionem (insidiaberis calcaneo hamo) at :59 of una circum
Raymond Daniels (2-1, 1 NC) atque Peter Stanonik (5-4, 1 NC) ended in a no content (accidental low blow)

Praevium Card:
Alex Polizzi (7-0) victum Rafael Carvalho (16-5) unum congruerunt sententiae (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Leslie Smith (12-8-1) victum Amanda Bell (7-7) via suasuri (29-28, 29-28. 29-28)
Tyrell Fortune (8-1, 1 NC) atque Jack May (11-6, 1 NC) ended in a no content (accidental low blow)
Keith Lee (7-3) victum Vinicius Zani (11-7) via suasuri (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Placere visitabo Bellator.com pro additional notitia.
Bellator, DAZN, mixta bellicis artibus, MMA, eamque intimam secum fert Network

BELLATOR MMA ANNOUNCES MASSIVE DOUBLEHEADER LIVE ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AND DAZN FROM MOHEGAN SUN ARENA

Leave a comment
FORMER CHAMPS PHIL DAVIS AND LYOTO MACHIDA COLLIDE IN LONG-AWAITED REMATCH AT Bellator 245 ON FRIDAY, PROLES. 11

JUAN ARCHULETA FACES UNDEFEATED PATCHY MIX FOR THE VACANT BELLATOR BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE AT Bellator 246 On Saturday, PROLES. 12

PRAETER, THE BELLATOR DEBUTS OF FORMER TITLE CHALLENGERS CAT ZINGANO AND LIZ CARMOUCHE

Los Angeles— For the first time, Bellator MMA’s “FightSphere” atArena Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. will host a stacked doubleheader weekend on Friday, Septem. 11 and Saturday, Septem. 12. On night one, Bellator 245is headlined by former world champsPhil Davis (21-5, 1 NC) atqueLyoto Machida (26-9) in a light heavyweight rematch, dumBellator 246on night two sees a bantamweight world championship fight featuring top contenderJuan Archuleta (24-2) taking on the undefeatedPatchy Mix (13-0) for the vacant title.

Two former world title challengers also make their long-awaited Bellator debuts, quodCat Zingano (10-4) suscipit,Gabby Holloway (6-5) in a featherweight matchup atBellator 245, dumLiz Carmouche (13-7) meets the newly signedDeAnna Bennett (10-6-1) at flyweight during the main card ofBellator 246.

Bellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2on Friday, Septem. 11 atqueBellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mixon Saturday, Septem. 12 air live oneamque intimam secum fert Network atqueDAZN at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT. Preliminary action will stream onBellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming days.

A former Bellator light heavyweight world champion, Phil Davis returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since stoppingKarl Albrektsson atBellator 231 in October of last year. A four-time NCAA D-I All-American wrestler at Penn State University, "Mr. Wonderful” has earned professional victories over Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, and the man he will face again on Sept. 11, Lyoto Machida. With eight Bellator appearances already, the San Diego-based fighter has his sights set on reclaiming his world title in the sport’s toughest light heavyweight division.

After signing with Bellator in 2018, Lyoto Machida made his highly anticipated promotional debut with a victory over former champRafael CarvalhoatBellator 213and would later go on to defeat the now-retiredChael Sonneninside the famed Madison Square Garden atBellator 222. The former UFC light heavyweight champ, known to fans around the globe as “The Dragon,” owns notable career wins over Tito Ortiz, “Shogun” Rua, Dan Henderson, Rashad Evans and Randy Couture. Having lost to Davis in the first matchup in Brazil, the native ofSalvador, Bahia, Brazil is looking for redemption and a future shot at Bellator gold.

Fresh off of an impressive victory overHenry Corrales atBellator 238 maturius hoc anno, Juan Archuleta will look to capture the promotion’s vacant bantamweight strap. Fighting out of Hesperia, Ill., the 32-year-old knockout artist will once again drop down a weight class for a shot at the world title, something he successfully accomplished on four separate occasions while competing for regional promotion King of the Cage (light welterweight, PERFUSORIUS, flyweight and bantamweight). Following a hard-fought featherweight world title bout withPatricio Pitbull last September, “The Spaniard” returns to bantamweight, where he has been undefeated for over five years.

Currently fighting out of Jackson Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., Patchy Mix will make his fourth appearance for Bellator, where he has tallied three first-round submission victories. The 26-year-old Buffalo, N.Y.-native hopes to remain undefeated and build off of his most recent win on New Year’s Eve, which saw “No Love” earn a guillotine choke-submission over Yuki Motoya at Bellator’s co-promotional event with Rizin atRizin.20in Iaponia. Prior to his time with the Scott Coker-led promotion, Mix dominated his competition in all nine of his fights with King of the Cage, collecting five first round finishes. Autem, the submission specialist will face the toughest test of his young career, a matchup with the former Bellator featherweight world title contender and a shot at Bellator’s vacant 135-pound strap.

Also announced forBellator 245…“Easy” Ed Ruth (8-2) returns to middleweight against the debutingTaylor “Tombstone” Johnson (5-1) on the main card; current Bellator Kickboxing welterweight world champRaymond “The Real Deal” Daniels(2-1) returns to MMA againstPeter Stanonik(5-4); former middleweight champRafael Carvalho(16-4) squares off with undefeatedAlex “Easy” Polizzi(6-0) at light heavyweight; hard-hitting heavyweightsTyrell Fortune(8-1) atqueJack May(11-6) collide; “Killa” Keith Lee (6-3) faciesDominic “The Honey Badger” Mazzotta (15-3) in a 140-lb. contract weight preliminary matchup.

Also announced forBellator 246…top welterweight contendersJon Fitch (32-7-2, 1 NC) atqueNeiman Gracie (9-1) square off in the co-main event; Derek "cervicem sonipes" Campos(20-10) atqueRoger “El Matador” Huerta(24-12-1, 1 NC) go toe-to-toe in a lightweight battle; Jackson Wink MMA heavyweight prospectDavion “The Don” Franklin (1-0) suscipit,Ras “The Jamaican Shamrock” Hylton (6-4) on the prelims; Hawaii’sTy “Savage” Gwerder(4-1) meets London’sGeorge “Tuco” Tokkos(4-1) in a middleweight contest.

UpdatedBellator 245: Davis vs. Machida 2Main Card:

Paramount Network and DAZN

Friday, Septem. 11 - 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT

Light Heavyweight Main Event: Phil Davis(21-5, 1 NC) vs.Lyoto Machida (26-9)

Featherweight Co-Main Event: Cat Zingano(10-4) vs.Gabby Holloway(6-5)

Middleweight Feature Bout: Et ait Ruth: (8-2) vs.Taylor Johnson(5-1)

Welterweight Feature Bout: Raymond Daniels(2-1) vs.Peter Stanonik(5-4)

Updated Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel

Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Rafael Carvalho(16-4) vs.Alex Polizzi(6-0)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Tyrell Fortune(8-1) vs.Jack May(11-6)

140-lb. Contract Weight Preliminary Bout: Keith Lee(6-3) vs.Dominic Mazzotta(15-3)

——–

UpdatedBellator 246: Archuleta vs. Mix Main Card:

Paramount Network and DAZN

Saturday, Septem. 12 - 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT

Bantamweight World Title Bout: Juan Archuleta(24-2) vs.Patchy Mix(13-0)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: Jon Fitch(32-7-2, 1 NC) vs.Neiman Gracie(9-1)

Flyweight Feature Bout: Liz Carmouche (13-7) vs.DeAnna Bennett(10-6-1)

Lightweight Feature Bout: Suspendisse Fields(20-10) vs.Rogerus Huerta(24-12-1, 1 NC)

Updated Preliminary Card:

Bellator MMA’s YouTube Channel

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Ty Gwerder(4-1) vs.George Tokkos(4-1)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Davion Franklin (1-0) vs.Ras Hylton(6-4)

*Card subject to change.

****

mixta bellicis artibus, UFC, mulierum MMA

Ronda Rousey- The Cleaner

Leave a comment


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

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, in 14 seconds. 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.

Scilicet, 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. Autem, 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, who battered two of Rousey’s “Four Horsewomen” teammates and has been calling Rousey out ever since. Jessica Eye has also staked her claim to a title shot, but neither of these women pose a real threat to Rousey. During UFC 184’s postfight coverage, Daniel Cormier floated the idea of his colleague Miesha Tate getting a third crack at Rousey.

Besides the fact I think trilogies should be reserved only when each fighter has a victory over the other, I see no reason why third time would be a charm for Tate. While she is the only woman to go further than the first round with Rousey, Tate has plateaued as a fighter while Rousey has gotten better. If the two were to fight a third time, I see no reason to believe the result would be any different.

So where does this leave Rousey? In meam sententiam, she has cleaned out the UFC women’s bantamweight division. There is no one who poses a credible threat to her. If Zingano adjusted her strategy and received another shot at Rousey, she might have a chance of winning. Beyond that, if Rousey decided to go out on top and build on her burgeoning film career, I don’t think anyone would hold it against her.

Rousey is currently on a run akin to Anderson Silva’s run atop the UFC’s middleweight division. He dominated everyone in his path and except for his first fight with Chael Sonnen, made it look easy. Rousey’s hardest fight to date was against Liz Carmouche, when she had Rousey in a rear naked choke in the first round of their fight in 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: lautus. Rousey is fresh out of worthy challengers to her crown, a task she accomplished by cleaning out her division.

Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also shares his thoughts on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.

mixta bellicis artibus, UFC, mulierum MMA

Dana White and the Women

Leave a comment


Photo Credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

Saturday, Feb. 28, is going to be a landmark day for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. All the fighters on the pay-per-view card that day will pass their pre-fight drug…….never mind. That’s too easy.

That day will be the first time a UFC card features women’s bouts in both its co-main event and main event. After middleweight champion Chris Weidman was forced to withdraw from his fight against Vitor Belfort due to injury, the new main event at UFC 184 is Ronda Rousey defending her women’s bantamweight belt against Cat Zingano. In cooperatione consectetur, much-heralded prospect Holly Holm will make her UFC debut against Raquel Pennington in another women’s bantamweight fight.

As I’ve mentioned before, UFC has come a long way from when Dana White told TMZ that women would “never” fight in his organization. Rousey will main event her third consecutive February PPV and Holm is widely believed to be the next in line for a shot at the title, should she defeat Pennington. Holm is still very raw in mixed martial arts, but trains with the world renowned coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn.

Rousey is carrying the flag for women’s MMA and for women in the UFC. Other female fighters have followed her into the Octagon, including Miesha Tate, Liz Carmouche and Alexis Davis. What do those three have in common? They all also fell to Rousey – Tate twice in Strikeforce and the UFC, and Carmouche and Davis both in the first round at UFC PPVs in 2013 atque 2014, respective;.

Rousey and Tate’s feud is well-chronicled. It led to the two being coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, which included female fighters for the very first time who greatly outshined their male counterparts on the show that season.

Given that season’s success, the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter featured ALL female fighters and the debut of the UFC’s newest division, women’s strawweight. Carla Esparza, the former Invicta FC strawweight champion, won the inaugural UFC version of that belt after defeating Rose Namajunas.

So in the span of four years, UFC goes from having no female fighters and White emphatically stating that it never will, to being home to TWO female weight classes and undoubtedly the promotion’s biggest star right now in Rousey. Don’t believe me? Did you see the third Expendables movie? Or do you plan on seeing the film version of Entourage this summer? You might notice a familiar face.

So where does women’s MMA go from here? I am personally a big fan of female fights, as they tend to be among the more entertaining and action-packed fights on a UFC card. As I previously stated, female fighters are more than capable of outshining their male contemporaries. Why is that? Maybe female fighters feel they have more to prove inside the Octagon and always go for broke. Maybe they go into the Octagon with more of a “go for broke” mentality and actively seek a finish as opposed to “playing it safe.”

The fight between Rousey and Zingano on Feb. 28 will also go a long way toward determining the future of women’s MMA. Should Rousey defeat Zingano – which all signs indicate she will – she will have essentially cleaned out her division, with only unknown challengers like Holm and Bethe Correia left. If Zingano pulls the upset, then the division has a fresh batch of exciting matchups waiting.

But who knows what would have happened if Dana White kept his promise to TMZ?

Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also contributes his thoughts to our site on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.