MMA Betting Futures: UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey
The first fight of its kind inside the Octagon, Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche did well to represent the female mixed martial artists of the world in their title clash at UFC 157. Defending champion Rousey found herself in trouble right away in this bout, yet using her judo skills and a good bit of patience and grit, she was able to avoid the disaster of a first round submission. Back in control, Rousey turned the tables on her foe, and once again found her trademark armbar before the end of the first round.
Though the playing field is small for Rousey right now, the value is there if you’re brave enough to make the play. So, let’s look at the most likely opponents for the young champion and see where the value lies.
Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate 2
Tate -150
Rousey +120
If you’re confused by this line, open your eyes.
Rousey was largely a mystery going into her first fight in the UFC, but with more time to analyze what she actually brings to the game of WMMA, the answer was pretty clear. Not much. Training at a judo gym for MMA has clearly given Rousey few functional skills outside of what she already had, and the core of judo doesn’t translate well to no-gi grappling or MMA competition. What we saw from Rousey was a lack of understanding of the cage and its function in a fight, awful ground and pound, and a heavy use of judo techniques that simply don’t function outside of that sport. Rousey spent the majority of the fight working Ura Gatame against Carmouche, once having her back taken and once having no success with her armbar before shifting out of the judo position and into something more functional.
Tate herself is a stellar grappler in her own right with a sizeable arsenal and a few defensively flaws. Having come off of her loss to Rousey, Tate rebounded in a world-class effort against the always game Julie Kedzie that showed her depth of technique, and that she wasn’t mentally broken by Rousey in their loss. When it comes right down to it, Tate is the better fighter of the two, and in this rematch I feel stands the better chance of gaining victory through her positioning and submission skills.
Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano
Rousey -200
Zingano +160
Cat Zingano will be introduced to the world at large, standing opposite Miesha Tate at the TUF 17 Finale. A long time BJJ competitor carrying an undefeated record into the cage, Zingano uses a very traditional BJJ style that suffocates competitors with meticulous positioning and skill. While Tate is a harsh opponent to draw in her first UFC fight, Zingano has a chance of pulling of a victory and finding herself opposite Rousey for her title shot.
Zingano has talent, but her style isn’t well suited to deal with Rousey, who herself uses a very traditional, no frills style. There is also a size disparity between the two, with Zingano being a Flyweight that has moved up to Bantamweight, but hasn’t bulked up significantly in the process. Zingano does have an outside chance of taking this fight if she can tire Rousey, but all of her favorite spots happen to be in her opponent’s wheelhouse. A tough and grueling fight that may just see later rounds, but Rousey can potentially take Zingano down and work her magic before her opponent has a chance to puzzle out the champion.
Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano?
Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
Rousey -800
Carano +500
A name being thrown around quite a bit recently is that of the original female star, muay thai master Gina Carano. Having left the sport for movies after being dismantled by Cyborg Santos at 145lbs, Carano has the ability to make-weight for a blockbuster female fight, and could potentially be talked into it for the right price. If Tate vs. Zingano ends in a poor showing or injury for the winner, this could be the fight to draw fan favor without putting Rousey into any real danger.
Carano is technically sound as a striker, but really didn’t learn much of the mat game in her time in the sport. Lacking real KO power and being unable to keep off the mat, it stands to reason Rousey would absolutely mop the floor with Carano. The question isn’t if she’d win though, but if we’d all pay to see it?
Along with Ronda Rousey, Liz Carmouche, Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano, the current list of female fighters signed with the UFC include Sarah Kaufman, Amanda Nunes, Sarah McMann, Julie Kedzie, Germaine de Randamie and Alexis Davis.
About the Author (Author Profile)
I'm a 20+ year veteran of martial arts and a fan of MMA since UFC 1, when my world was thrown on its head by the budding sport. I'm obsessive in the pursuit of martial abilities and have competed across the country in everything from Vale Tudo to archery to Scottish broadsword. Once my body broke down, I picked up a pen and went in the direction of writing. I specialize in betting advice, predictions, and I'm a walking encyclopedia of MMA trivia. I own a cafe in Exeter, NH called Hammersmith Sandwich Company and write out of my office between customers.Subscribe
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