'It's my time': Zingano finishes Nunes, earns next shot at Rousey
It was a rough start but a much better finish for Cat Zingano, who came back from over a year out of the sport to finish Amanda Nunes at UFC 178 on Saturday and in the process earn the next shot at the UFC women's bantamweight title.
Zingano didn't get any warm-up time back in the Octagon, however, as her opponent came gunning for her right from the opening bell.
Nunes wasted no time in the opening seconds putting Zingano on her back and outside of a brief armbar attempt, the Brazilian started raining down some seriously heavy strikes against her American opponent. Zingano stayed calm the entire time but she ate some hard shots courtesy of Nunes, who was just loading up and blasting away with punches throughout the round.
Zingano battled back, however, with just over a minute to go in the round as she took over and switched the momentum going into the second. Zingano was the aggressor in the second stanza as she put Nunes on her back this time and began working for her own ground and pound attack from the top.
Zingano even managed to go for the rarely used toe hold submission with about a minute to go in the round, but Nunes slipped out without taking any real damage.
The third round started out much the same with Zingano grabbing a front headlock and rolling Nunes over to her back before she got the mount and started blasting away with punches. Referee Jason Herzog saw enough as Nunes' face was busted up and bleeding and he stopped the fight as Zingano got up in celebration.
The win marks a huge moment for Zingano who endured a huge amount of professional and personal tragedy over the last 18 months by first blowing out her knee in 2013 and then the loss of her husband earlier this year. Now with her TKO victory over Nunes, Zingano is officially the No. 1 contender to face Ronda Rousey for the UFC women's bantamweight title.
"I'm ready," Zingano said. "It's my time, I'm ready."
UFC president Dana White told FOX Sports on Thursday that if Zingano wins and stays healthy she would likely face Rousey on Jan. 3 at UFC 182.
