UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has her next title defense scheduled, and as expected, she will face Cat Zingano in the co-main event of UFC 182 on Jan. 3 in Las Vegas, promotion president Dana White confirmed Wednesday night on Fox Sports 1.
Light heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones puts his belt on the line against former top heavyweight contender Daniel Cormer in the main event. UFC 182, available on pay-per-view, is slated to be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
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Zingano originally earned a title shot in April 2013 when she stopped Miesha Tate in the third round at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. But shortly thereafter, Zingano suffered an ACL injury that forced her to withdraw from the bout.
She returned to action Sept. 27 at UFC 178, defeating Amanda Nunes by third-round TKO. Rousey expressed excitement over the title showdown, releasing a statement on Instagram.
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"It's official - the fight @alphacatzingano and I have been waiting far (too) long for is going down Jan 3rd on #ufc182," Rousey wrote in the caption. "Every (ounce) of respect I have for her is going to be poured into the effort to end her undefeated streak - real champions don't want belts, they want to test themselves against the best the world has to offer."
Zingano [9-0-0] has finished eight of her opponents. She is a talented striker and wrestler and very skilled in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She is regarded as the toughest test of Rousey's career. Rousey, however, is confident she will emerge victorious.
"On Jan 3rd two champions will be fighting and I'm going to show Cat what the best in the world is," she wrote. "I genuinely hope that Cat, the fans, and I all walk away unscathed and fulfilled that night. But fights are chaotic - you never know ;) I won't say 'good luck' but rather 'good skill' to Cat. Get ready for the fight of your life. #RouseyvsZingano"
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