[The Undefeated vs. The Comeback]

What is more inspiring, creates more momentum in the motion of the art of pugilism than an undefeated opponent, is a comeback. The athlete who reaches the top of the ranks, get within a hair's breath of a title shot that may only present itself once, falls and crashes, suffers a succession of injuries, haplessness in their personal life. Somewhere in the midst of this misadventure, the lack of friction chafes away at the slippery surface till nothing more is left but a surface which gifts that long desired friction. Then, this athlete becomes from ruins, finds themselves so far from their desired path that reaching that path becomes an utter pretension. It becomes infatuation, obsession. Their sight becomes short; as long as it is, it means that they are in consistent motion towards what it is they desire to continue to have a view of it. Universal misfortune has made them an underdog, and thus, a dangerous force to be reckoned with.

This is the story of Cat Zingano.

If Women's Bantamweight queen Ronda Rousey is the "Floyd Mayweather of Armbars," then "Alpha" Cat Zingano is the "James J. Braddock of Comebacks." Rousey, who has obliterated all rivals since coming into the UFC, has also found stardom outside of the octagon in films, advertisement and commercials. And with wins over Liz Carmouche at UFC 157, Miesha Tate at UFC 168, fellow Olympic silver medalist freestyle wrestler Sara McMann at UFC 170 and most recently, a quick stoppage of Alexis Davis at UFC 175. Compiling a 10-0 undefeated record, Rousey is all but comfortable, knowing that unfinished business still remains in the top 10 female Bantamweight division in which she owns wins over 5 of the 10.

Zingano (9-0) has fought and beaten not all opponents who've stepped up to her, but also diversity in her personal life. With multiple injuries, including the suicide of her husband in early 2014, every reason was there for her to retire, as every reason stood for her to go on. This commencement happened when she returned to the cage at UFC 178 against the most vicious woman in the division, Amanda Nunes, weathering a storm, as she has become accustomed to in her personal life, ending the fight in a TKO, her second after her TKO finish of Miesha Tate at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale.

UFC 182 is the stage set for both Rousey and Zingano to meet, the first time two undefeated opponents with a 100% finish rate in the UFC will fight for a title. History in all regards will be made at the mere appearance of the two upon introduction in the octagon.

Rousey, formerly only known for her judoka precision and her armbar finishes, has finished her last 2 fights via strikes; a TKO over Sara McMann and a KO over Alexis Davis. Zingano, a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt is more than up to the challenge to defend Rousey's armbar.


Rousey: To deliver another win and see an 11th straight victory, Rousey has to come out and pressure Zingano, as Tate did, as Nunes did, both who had success in doing so. Zingano, as a comebacker, has the affinity for a late start- it will be in the beginning that Rousey would need to press the action, push her back to the cage with her improved striking, initiate the clinch and put her down, control her on the ground with a cautious reign of ground and pound.

Zingano: Known for her late start and her comebacks, Zingano, if she can survive the onslaught of possibly the most aggressive woman in the world, she can await the later rounds and push the pace on Rousey. Her cardio has proved to be much better than the champion's and she has proved she can finish even under fatigue. Body shots, leg kicks and her effective knees will have to be once again put on display to stymie the advance of Rousey, force her to lassitude and break her.