UFC
Lorenzo Fertitta says UFC close to finalizing Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano for UFC 182
Oct 18, 2014 - 12:45:00 PM Lorenzo Fertitta says UFC close to finalizing Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano for UFC 182

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Women's Bantamweight Champ Ronda Rousey has been targeting UFC 182 on Jan. 3 for her next fight, and UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta said this week that they're close to finalizing a bout between Rousey and Cat Zingano for that event.

"Cat is certainly the No. 1 contender, and I'm thinking that more than likely will happen," Fertitta said in an interview with the LA Times.

Zingano secured her title fight with a win over Amanda Nunes in her return last month, which came a year and a half after her debut win over Miesha Tate. Rousey has been on a bit of a break this fall as she had to heal up from a few injuries, but she'll be back to kick off the year in her fifth UFC Title bout.

UFC 182 will be headlined by the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier.

Penick's Analysis: This is the right fight, and with both healthy and ready to go, it's the right event to put it on. Rousey is likely to be a heavy favorite again, but Zingano's earned her shot at the title, and it's going to be a good fight for the co-main event under Jones-Cormier.