Ronda Rousey holds an open training in Rio ahead of her UFC 190 fightNext up against Rousey is Correia at UFC 190. As exciting as the match-up sounds, a lot of that excitement is rooted in media created hype. Everyone, including the UFC fighters rule the odds in the favour of Rousey for many reasons thus backing up the previous statement.No wonder “Rowdy” Ronda is a UFC superstar and the “badass” in women’s MMA who has raised the stakes for every other fighter who wants the title. This makes it difficult to find fighters credible enough against her but it’s not impossible. Many are eyeing Ronda’s crown but she won’t hand it over that easily and only a few can survive with her in the cage.In the midst of the much-hyped Rousey vs. Correia, we list down 3 most credible threats up against Ronda for her throne at 135 lbs.
#1 Miesha Tate
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Well, this name was dicey enough to include considering that Rousey made it very clear that Tate was indeed a piece of “cupcake” for her…TWICE.
Following the same, Tate was the only opponent who made Ronda take it past one round. Tate has come a long way since that encounter with the Bantamweight champion.
This “cupcake” held titles such as former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Women's 135lb Strikeforce Tournament Champion, 2008 Fila Worlds Grappling Championships, Silver Medalist etc. stating that she is champion material.
Tate made her progress very clear after her recent fight with Jessica Eye. She surprisingly defeated Eye in her own game of striking.
Also the fact that she has been matched up and fought against beasts like Zingano and beat up fighters like Sara McMann adds that she’s no mere fighter. The power, the strength, the striking- in short, Tate is close enough in filling all the loopholes of her game and stepping closer to face Rousey for the third time.
This time, she’ll be a different person to Rousey it seems.
#2 Cat Zingano
Yet, another marvelous end to Cat Zingano’s undefeated record by Rousey was seen in their UFC 184 faceoff. Rousey finished the bout in 14 seconds and this is no joke though she made it seem very easy and not much can be said as it ended really fast.
This does not rule out the chances of consensus #2 Women’s Bantamweight Zingano posing a threat for Rousey. She is one the most complete and well-rounded fighters in MMA.
She is a purple belt in BJJ who’s favourite striking technique is Muaythai plus the fact that she brings raw power and strength to the cage and can actually pound someone makes us think of why not Ronda.
To understand her incredible display of power and game techniques, recall the guillotine stunt on Amanda Nunes in UFC 178. The #2 is legit enough to face #1.
#3 Cristiane \"Cyborg\" Santos
Also known as Cris “Cyborg” Justino, she is the ultimate matchup for Ronda that awaits all of the UFC and MMA fans around the globe. It’ll be spectacular and the biggest ever in the history of UFC when two greatest, badass and ruthless women of the MMA come face to face. It’s the dream..the super fight yet to happen.
There is a reason why this match is so talked about because Cyborg is no walkover.
She is the Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Champion and also the current Invicta FC World Featherweight Champion who recently entered the UFC.
Rousey and Cyborg are very much like each other’s alter egos. Rousey beats Cat Zingano in an incredible fashion and Cyborg did the same to Charmaine Tweet in 47 seconds, both defending their belt and continuing their undefeated legacy.
Both of them are ages ahead of their fellow category fighters and neither of them mess around in the cage.They are powerful, dominant, very aggressive and the best at what they do, thus making their game less of any loophole- almost as negligent as none.
What differs is their style of nailing the opponent and that is where the fun begins.
This matchup will be fire against fire, power against power, strength against strength, grappling against striking and whichever way you take it, ground or standing, these two have it all.
With Cyborg in the picture, there will be finally someone elevate the standards and set it straight up against Ronda’s power, strength, techniques and more than that, can seriously be a major threat to her throne and legacy. Albeit, this is where Ronda has her most legit chance to rule all of that in her favour.
