Who's next for Ronda Rousey after UFC 170?

(This story first appeared in today’s USA TODAY.)

On the subject of Ronda Rousey’s next opponent, the one thing that everyone seems to agree on is that, in a fair world, top contender Cat Zingano would get the next shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight title.

What they disagree on is whether the UFC is such a world, or whether Zingano will be ready to go by the time the next window of opportunity opens in Rousey’s increasingly busy schedule.

The champ is expected to begin filming a full-length film version of HBO’s Entourage in March, and she’ll likely be busy promoting her work in The Expendables 3 in the summer.

Late summer “seems like a cool time” to fight, Rousey told reporters after dispatching Sara McMann via first round TKO at UFC 170, “but I might want to fight sooner than that.”

As Rousey steamrolls through opponents, however, finding one who seems worthy of the challenge will only get tougher. Zingano earned the shot with a TKO win against Miesha Tate in April, but a subsequent knee injury forced her into surgery. Then in January, just as her recovery was getting underway, her husband and coach, Mauricio Zingano, was found dead of an apparent suicide.

UFC 170: Rousey puts away McMann in controversial finish

“The poor girl has been through a lot over the last year,” UFC President Dana White said after UFC 170. “But I agree with Ronda. She’s next in line.”

According to her manager, Ed Soares, Zingano still wants the fight and could be ready to go “as early as June.”

“She texted me last night right after the fight,” Soares told USA TODAY Sports. “Cat watched the fight, and she’s focused, she’s motivated, her recovery is going well, and physically, she’s getting back. She’s had a rocky road since her surgery, especially with all the personal stuff that’s happened to her. But Cat is one of those people who can take the negative energy and use it as a motivator to go get that belt.”

But as Zingano recovers, other contenders continue to make their cases in the cage. Soft-spoken Canadian Alexis Davis won her third UFC fight in a row with a split-decision against Jessica Eye on the UFC 170 prelims, and she was quick to offer her services as a potential challenger.

“Of course I’ll say yes,” Davis said at the post-fight press conference. “I’ve been fighting for so long, and who else is 3-0 in the UFC, other than the girl sitting right down from me (Rousey)?”

But as the Rousey train rolls on, calls for her to face former Strikeforce and current Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino will likely grow louder.

Late last week Justino released a statement announcing her intention to drop to bantamweight in order to retire Rousey “like I did Gina Carano,” who stopped fighting to pursue a full-time acting career after suffering a TKO loss to Justino in 2009.

Immediately after Rousey’s latest win, Justino tweeted that she was glad the champion had been victorious because “now I can kick her ass in December.”

White, who’s been dismissive of Justino in the past, said she would have to prove she can make 135 pounds first, and she’d have to sign a deal with UFC, neither of which is going to be easy.

But if all that happens and she remains healthy?

“Maybe we can do it,” he said.

If Rousey keeps knocking off challengers with such ease, maybe he’ll have to.

For complete coverage of UFC 170, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

(Pictured: Ronda Rousey)