In the two short years since the long overdue addition of a women’s division in the UFC, Ronda Rousey has taken full advantage of the spotlight, demonstrating her incredible skills which have resulted in many labelling her as the greatest female in the history of the sport. Her latest challenger comes in the form of Cat Zingano, a determined and ferocious warrior whose will to overcome adversity has resulted in her being hailed as the champion’s sternest test to date.
Despite possessing a skillset that plays to the champion’s strengths, Zingano was seen as someone who could drag Rousey past the first round, perhaps even forcing ‘Rowdy’ to engage in a brawl that would almost certainly favour the less disciplined challenger.
What actually occurred was probably something that neither fighter was prepared for.
Charging wildly at Rousey, Zingano found herself quickly taken down to the mat where she was instantly submitted thanks to an expertly applied straight arm lock from the champion. It took Rousey 14 seconds to retain her title, two seconds quicker than her last outing; a 16 second knockout of previous contender Alexis Davis.
Rousey’s title of greatest fighter in the history of women’s MMA is now undeniable. She has cleaned out her division, but here she took advantage of Zingano’s astonishingly poor judgement. Zingano beat herself essentially by letting emotion dictate her performance, and she paid the ultimate price: Two years hard work, destroyed in seconds.
It’s becoming increasingly hard to see where Rousey (Now 11-0, 5-0 UFC) goes from here. The UFC will need to unearth another legitimate challenger quickly with Hollywood producers queuing up to lure away the ‘invincible’ champion.
Hardworking Holm Outguns Pennington
Former 18-time world boxing champion Holly Holm finally made her long awaited UFC debut, outworking a game Raquel Pennington throughout the duration of their encounter to earn a split decision victory. Holm (Now 8-0, 1-0 UFC) seemed a little tentative in the early stages of the bout but soon found her rhythm, keeping a comfortable distance while utilising the jab to set up her debilitating high kicks. Pennington did manage to trouble her fancied opponent in the final round, but the former TUF competitor’s best hope was always to take the bout to the mat, something that she was unable to achieve thanks to Holm’s massively improved defencive capabilities.
Ellenberger Victorious In Battle For Relevancy
While not exactly a ‘loser leaves town’ scrap, veterans Jake Ellenberger and Josh Koscheck still knew that defeat would likely spell the end of their status among the elite of the 170 pound division. Both fighting with added urgency as a result of this implication, Ellenberger fought off the takedown attempts of the wiley Koscheck, and would eventually overcome his foe with an brilliantly executed north-south choke, initiated from a standing position. It was Ellenberger’s first submission win inside the Octagon, and Koscheck’s first defeat by the method in almost a decade.
Koscheck (Now 17-9, 15-9 UFC) eventually conceded defeat, succuming to his fourth straight loss, after desperately struggling to escape the hold. His determination to fight to the last will likely land him one last shot in the Octagon, but this latest setback will almost surely end Koscheck's tenure as a ranked competitor in the welterweight division.
Jubilant Jouban Wrecks Walsh
After suffering a controversial split decision loss in his last outing, Alan Jouban jumpstarted his UFC career with a blistering first round elbow knockout of Australian prospect Richard Walsh. ‘Filthy Rich’, a standout on the recent Ultimate Fighter: Nations show, started brightly, engaging Jouban on the feet, landing several leg kicks that looked to have the hometown favourite in some discomfort. A well placed short elbow from Jouban (Now 11-3, 2-1 UFC) would eventually bring the fight to a sudden conclusion however, midway through the opening round.
Fantastic Ferguson Submits Tibau
Tony Ferguson entered the ranks of the 155 pound elite with a quick first round finish of the Octagon mainstay Gleison Tibau. A well placed right to the Brazilian’s temple had Tibau reeling, unable to fend off Ferguson’s rear naked choke just minutes into their encounter. Ferguson is now on a five fight winning streak, with victories over Abel Trujillo and Danny Castillo among the highlights. This latest victory will surely land the talented and entertaining ‘El Cucuy’ with a top ten bout, something that is arguably long overdue for the TUF 13 winner.
UFC 184 Main Card Results:
Women’s Bantamweight Championship
Ronda Rousey © def Cat Zingano via submission (straight armbar) in round 1
Women’s Bantamweight
Holly Holm def Raquel Pennington via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Welterweight
Jake Ellenberger def Josh Koscheck via submission (north-south choke) in round 2
Welterweight
Alan Jouban def Richard Walsh via KO (elbow) in round 1
Lightweight
Tony Ferguson def Gleison Tibau via submission (rear-naked choke) in round 1
Event Awards:
Best Fight: Holly Holm vs. Raquel Pennington
Best Finish: Jake Ellenberger
MVP: Tony Ferguson