Could a Ronda Rousey-Cat Zingano rematch be the UFC's best option?

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano

(This story appears in today’s edition of USA TODAY.)

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has entered Mike Tyson territory. Her brand of violent dominance has made her a must-see combat athlete, a female stirring echoes of Tyson in the late ’80s.

Rousey (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) submitted Cat Zingano (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in UFC 184’s pay-per-view headliner on Saturday night. She caught her undefeated opponent with an armbar in just 14 seconds. That time – a UFC record for the quickest stoppage in a title fight, as well as the quickest submission in any type of UFC fight – somehow managed to beat out Rousey’s previous outing, a 16-second TKO win over Alexis Davis.

This level of dominance is creating a problem for the UFC: Who can be signed to face Rousey, and will the public buy into the idea of her as a legitimate contender?

Following UFC 184, Zingano appeared in disbelief that her title dreams were dashed in less than 15 seconds. However, she couldn’t get over the idea of another shot at the champ.

“She’s really good,” said Zingano, fighting back tears. “That wouldn’t happen again. I just want to know what I need to do to get in there again. Who’s No. 2? I’ll fight them. I’ll get back. How do I get this again?”

Zingano’s question was addressed to UFC President Dana White, who didn’t rule out a rematch – perhaps even an immediate one.

“We’ll make it happen,” White said. “I need fights. We’ll get it done. Whenever you’re ready.”

The UFC 184 co-main event may have been a reason for White’s openness to a rematch of a fight that ended in a flash just moments before.

Former world boxing champion Holly Holm (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was seemingly positioned as a challenger who could potentially unseat Rousey, the former Olympic judo medalist. In UFC 184’s co-main event, Holm faced big underdog Raquel Pennington (5-5, 2-2) in a bout many expected her to dominate. Instead, Holm appeared to have been affected by the notorious “octagon jitters,” nerves that strike fighters the first time they step on the UFC’s notoriously big stage.

Holm got the victory, but she struggled en route to a split decision.

White was asked about Holm, and while complimentary, he made it clear he doesn’t believe she’s quite ready for Rousey.

“She went in there tonight, and she performed,” he said. “She slid right into the co-main-event position, and she did a great job. Let’s let her get a couple of fights and start to feel like the UFC is her house and it’s home. Move up in the rankings, get some fights. She’s got some time to get there.”

That leaves Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane Justino (13-1) as the only other woman the general public seems to consider a threat to Rousey’s crown. “Cyborg” successfully defended her title on Friday but has never fought at 135 pounds, Rousey’s weight, nor has she fought in the UFC.

White has no interest in having Rousey move up in weight to face Justino – despite how lucrative the fight may be. Justino simply needs to move from 145 to 135 pounds, he said.

“Why would the champ go there?” White said. “It just doesn’t make sense. She’s the 135-pound champ here. She’s dominant. The champ doesn’t chase other people. If you want to fight the champ, you go to the champ.”

With the dearth of viable contenders for Rousey’s crown, what’s left for the UFC to do, aside from a rematch with Zingano?

“We’re going to move her to the men’s division,” White said, laughing. “I don’t know what to do with this lady.”

For more on UFC 184, check out the UFC Events section of the site.