Ronda Rousey's Blueprint for Perfection

Ronda Rousey has big plans.

After dismantling Brazilian challenger Bethe Correia at UFC 190 via a 34-second, one-punch, face-plant knockout Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, the UFC women's bantamweight champion has her eyes set on perfection.

Not just for the remainder of 2015, but for the rest of her professional career.

As someone who has transcended the sport of mixed martial arts by elevating herself beyond all Octagon limits, Rousey has become the Eighth Wonder of the World and the owner of an unblemished 12-0 record:

Her road to everlasting perfection is going to be watched closely by anyone and everyone interested in witnessing true athletic greatness.

Here is what her blueprint for undefeated success looks like for a division currently on its last leg:

Step 1: Close Cupcake's Curtain

Say what you will about Miesha "Cupcake" Tate getting another opportunity to overcome Rousey, a bout announced by UFC President Dana White after her win over Jessica Eye on July 25, but the evolving veteran has earned it.

After all, she remains the only fighter to take the UFC women's bantamweight champion out of the first round, having lasted into the third back at UFC 168 in December 2013.

And considering an eventual grudge match later in 2015 will be the third installment between the two, Tate has an unparalleled sense for what to expect when she steps inside the cage with the best female fighter in the promotion.

That's saying something, especially considering former top contenders have struggled immensely to even last one minute opposite Rousey.

Unfortunately, the same thing can be said for the champ, who has made Tate's world-class skill set look elementary at best.

But this is the fight game, and anything is possible. It will be the end of a chapter once and for all, unless Cupcake can somehow check Rousey's grappling and land her newly discovered punching power.

Step 2: Defeat Another Undefeated

Rousey has now finished three undefeated fighters (Sara McMann, Cat Zingano, Correia) over her last four fights in a total time of 1:54.

That's downright crazy and near impossible to recreate.

Fortunately for Rousey, former world-champion boxer Holly Holm currently sits undefeated in MMA at 9-0 (2-0 in the UFC).

Now, while Holm is relatively new to the sport and is a work in progress under the tutelage of renowned head coach Greg Jackson, the division's inability to produce perennial contenders should make her an odds-on favorite to fight for the title sometime next year.

Her dexterity, strength and precision would certainly test Rousey's ability to get inside and do what she does best. But it's likely that Holm would be a fish out of water on the canvas.

The Preacher's Daughter represents the last of a dying breed at 135 pounds and another undefeated name Rowdy can claim from the rankings.

Step 3: Tame a Young Lioness

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With some of the best ground-and-pound among both UFC women's divisions, Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes is a serious contender moving forward.

Three first-round finishes in four Octagon appearances suggest the 27-year-old Brazilian is as fierce as anyone at 135 pounds.

But a disappointing defeat at the hands of Zingano back at UFC 178 last September—a fight in which Nunes was dominating at one point—has labeled her a dark horse heading into 2016.

She's arguably the most well-rounded fighter in the division whom Rousey hasn't faced and would certainly get the champ's attention, considering Nunes defeated Shayna Baszler in March.

A potential matchup would give the UFC and Rousey good reason to travel back to Brazil for yet another title defense.

It would also serve as the first time in the champ's dominant career that she has fought someone younger than herself.

Step 4: Top Alpha, Again

Cat Zingano is way better than her 14-second performance opposite Rousey at UFC 184 may indicate.

As a matter of fact, Andrew Richardson of MMAmania.com compiled an in-depth breakdown of Alpha's overall game leading up to that fight and the outlook was telling.

While Zingano had many personal issues on her plate at the time of their February bout, her overaggressive charge at Rousey to begin Round 1 cost her an opportunity of a lifetime, and she succumbed to the champ's patented armbar.

Luckily for Alpha, the women's bantamweight division is running on near empty these days, making it likely that she can work her way back to a rematch through three good outings or two ultra-impressive ones.

Tate is the only fighter Rousey has faced more than once. But with finishes over Cupcake and Nunes in her UFC career, Zingano certainly has what it takes to rebound in fashion.

It's unlikely that she will be able to dethrone Rousey if given another chance, but it will be interesting to see how their matchup plays out if Zingano actually has an opportunity to open up and display her skills.

She is not currently scheduled for an upcoming fight. But it's likely that she faces one of Correia, Holm, Eye or the loser of Nunes vs. McMann this coming Saturday at UFC Fight Night 73.

 

Step 5: Capture Her White Whale

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Like Muhammad Ali needed Joe Frazier, Rousey needs Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino (currently 14-1-1).

They are by far the two best female fighters on the planet and undoubtedly need to lock horns for a Fight of the Century reboot.

While Frazier ultimately defeated Ali back in 1971 via unanimous decision, Rousey could turn the clock back and reverse the outcome in front of a hungry Madison Square Garden crowd.

As a blistering striker with tumultuous power and unflappable technique, the 30-year-old knockout artist poses the biggest threat to Rousey's undefeated reign to date.

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

The only common denominator between the two remains veteran Charmaine Tweet, whom Rousey defeated via a 49-second submission back in 2011 (albeit at 150 pounds) and Justino topped via a 46-second TKO this past February at Invicta FC 11.

People will pinpoint Rousey's relatively unpolished striking technique as Cyborg's biggest advantage, but it will be the Brazilian's overzealous approach, weight cut and slower movement that could spell victory for the unscathed UFC champ.

This is Rousey's paramount opportunity to sing her swan song and cement her name as the best of all time.

Of course, everything hinges on Justino's ability to change her diet, successfully cut an additional 10 pounds and competitively fight at a bantamweight level.

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