Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano Is Set for UFC 182

Ronda Rousey will defend her UFC women's bantamweight title in January against top challenger Cat Zingano.

That's according to a report from broadcaster Ariel Helwani on Wednesday's UFC Tonight program.

"

Dana White says @RondaRousey vs. @CatZingano is set for UFC 182 in Vegas.

— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) October 23, 2014"

If all goes according to plan, this will be one of two title bouts at UFC 182. In the other, Jon Jones will put his light heavyweight belt on the line against Daniel Cormier.

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Rousey (10-0) will attempt to defend her title for the fifth consecutive time. The queenpin of women's MMA is the only person to ever wear the UFC women's bantamweight belt. Known for her Olympic-level judo game (she won a bronze medal at the 2008 summer games) and gaggle of first-round armbar victories, Rousey has yet to be seriously threatened or even taken the distance in a professional MMA fight.

In bad news for opponents, Rousey's striking appears to be slowly catching up to her grappling. Her last two wins came by knockout and lasted an average of 41 seconds. 

While Zingano (9-0) will surely be a heavy underdog just like the rest of Rousey's opponents, she has plenty of her own bona fides. She is 2-0 in the UFC after an emotional return in September after more than a year away from the sport. In that return bout, Zingano knocked out Amanda Nunes in the third round to re-cement her position as the No. 1 contender in the division.

Zingano has the combination of wrestling and pure athleticism to potentially give Rousey a run for her money.

Both women have a win over contender Miesha Tate. Rousey has twice defeated Tate, both times by armbar submission, while Zingano defeated Tate by third-round TKO.

UFC 182 is set to take place on January 3 in Las Vegas.