Ronda Rousey's next fight against "Alpha" Cat Zingano has been made official, as the women's bantamweight title bout is set for UFC 182's co-main event feature on January 3rd in Las Vegas.
Ronda Rousey's next fight against Zingano was first announced right after "Alpha" Cat's victory at UFC 178 in September. UFC President Dana White himself made the announcement during the event's post-fight presser, which was reported by MMA Fighting.
"Yes, yeah, [Zingano]'s in," White said. "This is what I'm assuming, and you guys probably didn't hear it, but she was screaming at me after the fight. She ran over and started screaming, 'do you see me? Do you see me?' Yes, I see you."
Evidently, the finalization of Ronda Rousey's next fight opponent has temporarily closed the doors for any other possible names, particularly that of Gina Carano, who was reported to have been in talks with the UFC for a possible contract.
"This was the shut-up about Gina Carano I think," he added. "I think that's what Cat, [that's] the statement she wanted to make tonight, and she made it loud and clear."
Cat Zingano's title shot was a long road to get to. After suffering an injury that pushed her to the sidelines for a year, she was also undergoing an emotional battle after he husband's suicide. She currently holds an unblemished win-loss slate of 9-0, with eight victories ending by stoppage.
This was why she was further lauded by White, whom he believes had fully earned the right to fight the undefeated women's champion.
"She's been away for awhile, she had some injuries," White said. "She was dealing with some personal problems, but she is back. The fans needed to see her, and she needed to remind everybody why she was in line for a title fight. She did it tonight."
