The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Staples Center in Los Angeles, California tonight for UFC 184: “Rousey vs Zingano.” The event is headlined by a long-awaited UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship showdown between “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey and “Alpha” Cat Zingano.
In the bantamweight co-main event, Raquel “Rocky” Pennington welcomes former pound-for-pound boxing star Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm to the Octagon. Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger battles Josh Koscheck in a welterweight bout. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for the card.
UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey vs “Alpha” Cat Zingano
Round 1:
Zingano rushed right in with a flying knee, but Rousey clinched and reversed a throw in mid-air. She quickly transitioned from the scarf hold position into a straight armbar by jumping to the far side. She went belly-down with the armbar and bent back on Zingano’s arm until the challenger was forced to submit.
Winner: Ronda Rousey by Submission (Straight Armbar) at 0:14 of round one. She improves to 11-0-0 and remains the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm vs Raquel “Rocky” Pennington
Round 1:
Pennington ducked under an early Superman Punch from Holm and tried for a takedown, but Holm stayed on her feet and broke free from her grasp. The fighters traded punches and Holm threw side kicks to keep Pennington at a distance. Holm landed a knee and a quick flurry, then stuffed a takedown attempt. Pennington caught a head kick and backed Holm up against the fence.
Pennington punched over the top and the fighters broke apart again. Holm flurried and used her punches to set up kicks. A slashing elbow landed for Holm and she avoided most of Pennington’s counters. Pennington narrowly missed with a one-two and she chased after Holm with punches. Holm landed a late flurry and a side kick before the bell. 10-9 Holm.
Round 2:
Pennington opened round two with a kick to the ribs and she countered Holm’s punches with a right cross and a leg kick. Holm narrowly missed with head kicks and she landed a knee to the body in close. Pennington punched over the top and Holm answered back with a combination. The crowd booed a lack of action as the fighters traded single punches.
Pennington landed a front kick to the face and Holm responded with punches. She finally landed a head kick, but Pennington was unfazed and she kicked at Holm’s lead leg. Pennington followed with a three-punch combo and the fighters traded strikes in the clinch. Holm finished the round with knees to the body and two side kicks. 10-9 Holm.
Round 3:
Pennington was more aggressive in round three and she pressured Holm with punches and leg kicks early on. Holm replied with an uppercut and a lead right hook. Pennington snapped Holm’s head back with a right hand and she followed with another one. Holm attempted a head kick and Pennington blocked it. Boos rained down again from the crowd until Pennington dropped Holm with a right hand. Holm stood and landed knees to the body. Pennington backed her up with another nice combination. She bloodied Holm’s nose and landed more punches before the bell. 10-9 Pennington.
Winner: Holly Holm by Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) after three rounds. She improves to 8-0-0.
Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger vs Josh Koscheck
Round 1:
The opening round began with an exchange of stiff jabs and Koscheck powered through with a double-leg takedown. Ellenberger stood and Koscheck pinned him against the fence. He landed knees to the body and stomped at Ellenberger’s feet. Ellenberger eventually circled away and he countered a Koscheck uppercut with a looping right hook. Another hard right hand landed for Ellenberger and he stuffed a takedown attempt. Close round. 10-9 Ellenberger due to the late damage.
Round 2:
Koscheck immediately shot in for a takedown in round two and Ellenberger defended against the cage. The fighters were separated and Ellenberger landed a jab to Koscheck’s left eye. Lead left hooks were exchanged and Ellenberger landed a four-punch flurry. He shrugged off a takedown attempt and locked on a power guillotine choke. Koscheck dropped to the mat and rolled to try to escape, but Ellenberger maintained his grip and switched to a North-South choke. Koscheck could not escape and tapped out.
Winner: Jake Ellenberger by Submission (North-South Choke) at 4:20 of round two. He improves to 30-9-0.
Alan “Brahma” Jouban vs Richard “Filthy Rich” Walsh
Round 1:
Walsh pressured Jouban with kicks to the body early on and he followed with a right hook and a leg kick. Two knees scored for Walsh and Jouban answered with a liver kick. Walsh continued to mix things up with punches over the top and kicks to the midsection. Jouban scored with a body kick and a left hook, and Walsh backed up against the cage. Jouban badly rocked Walsh with an elbow to the temple and he staggered him with a follow-up flurry of punches. Walsh was out on his feet and the fight was waved off.
Winner: Alan Jouban by TKO (Punches) at 2:19 of round one. He improves to 11-3-0.
Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson vs Gleison Tibau
Round 1:
Ferguson kicked at Tibau’s lead leg and body in the opening minute and Tibau responded with straight left hands. Ferguson caught a kick and knocked Tibau down, but Tibau battled back to his feet. Ferguson rocked him with a combination and stuffed Tibau’s desperation takedown. He struck from the top and took Tibau’s back seconds later. Ferguson locked on a rear-naked choke and a still-dazed Tibau was forced to submit.
Winner: Tony Ferguson by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:37 of round one. He improves to 18-3-0.
(Undercard results and play-by-play on Page Two.)