Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: How do top challengers Cat Zingano and Alexis Davis match up with UFC Champ Ronda Rousey?
Feb 24, 2014 - 3:00:15 PM ROUNDTABLE: How do top challengers Cat Zingano and Alexis Davis match up with UFC Champ Ronda Rousey?

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How do you think either Cat Zingano or Alexis Davis matches up against Ronda Rousey? Do you think either of them would pull off the upset this summer? Why or why not?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

For all the credit want to give Cat Zingano, she lost two rounds to Miesha Tate. Ronda Rousey lost two seconds to Tate. Over 15 minutes of fighting. Add in all of the intangibles, all of which play to Rousey's favor, and there is exactly zero chance of Zingano returning from an extended layoff and beating Rousey.

Davis is scrappy for sure. But... No. Rousey kills her.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

After seeing her striking improvements this weekend, I don't think Ronda loses for a while as she seems to be comfortable anywhere the fight goes, but always has that secret weapon in her back pocket. I could perhaps see Zingano winning via KO if she can catch her like she did against Tate. In addition, I would love to see a Rousey-Cyborg fight before the year is over.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Zangano could, but I'm not confident in either of them beating Rousey. She's just too good. I think Zingano has the heart and drive to overcome Rousey, but I don't see anyone beating her. I think Davis has a chance as well, just smaller than Zingano.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

If Sara McMann couldn't do it I very much doubt the two aforementioned ladies will be able to. After all, Cat Zingano lost rounds to Miesha Tate before earning her win, and before that, she hasn't beaten anyone remotely close to someone as talented as Ronda Rousey.

Same applies to Alexis Davis. To her credit though she's 3-0 in the UFC now and her list of victories looks more impressive on paper. Despite all that, again I don't see her causing Rousey any problems at all, even if she is in peak condition and Rousey isn't.

On the one hand Rousey is simply head and shoulders above the competition. On the other, as we knew from the start, it's a division that's going to take a long time to fully develop. Zingano will get the next shot, not because she's the best, but because it's the right thing to do.


JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Honestly I don't see what Zingano or Davis can do that any other challenger hasn't already attempted against Rousey. Zingano's got some power as she showed against Tate, but she was losing that fight before the knees swung things in her favor.

The clinch is not where you want to be against Rousey, as her knees are getting to be quite the weapon themselves, and when she gets a grip there most fighters go for a ride. On top of that, I don't know where Zingano's going to be at mentally even if she's physically able to return this summer.

As for Davis, she's a tough competitor, but she doesn't do anything that Rousey hasn't seen, and she's not stronger in any area than other fighters Rousey has faced. I just don't see either being a complete challenge given what Rousey's done to date.