UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey and fellow TUF 18 coach Miesha “Cupcake” Tate will face off for a second time at UFC 168 on December 28th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The title fight was officially announced today and MMAjunkie.com first reported on the event details.

Rousey submitted Tate for the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight title in March 2012 and won her UFC debut in February. She had expected to face “Alpha” Cat Zingano later this year, but Zingano sustained a knee injury and Tate stepped in as a coach on TUF 18 and also as Rousey’s next opponent.

Rousey (7-0-0) and Tate (13-4-0) engaged in a lengthy war of words leading up to their much-anticipated Strikeforce title bout this past year. Tate fared far better than any of Rousey’s previous opponents, but she nevertheless succumbed to Rousey’s signature armbar late in the opening round. Rousey retained her title by submitting Sarah Kaufman in August and she later signed on with the UFC. On February 23rd, Rousey submitted Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche in the first women’s bout in UFC history at UFC 157.

Tate has encountered mixed success since losing to Rousey. The talented grappler rallied from the brink of defeat to submit veteran contender Julie “Fireball” Kedzie in August and she, too, signed with the UFC this year. At the TUF 17 Finale in April, Tate got off to a good start in her fight with Zingano, but Zingano came on strong in round three and she finished Tate with knees and a standing elbow. Zingano was then set to coach opposite Rousey on TUF 18, but a serious knee injury forced her out of the competition.

During the past six weeks, Rousey and Tate have coached opposing teams of male and female fighters on The Ultimate Fighter 18. The show premieres in September and it will air each week leading up to the Rousey-Tate grudge rematch.

UFC 168 takes place on December 28th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)