Rowdier than ever: Ronda Rousey defends title in just 14 seconds at UFC 184 (2024)

Somehow, Ronda Rousey managed to top herself once again. One fight after winning via KO in 16 seconds, Rousey submitted Cat Zingano in just 14 seconds at UFC 184 on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

All the tension that had been building for the past two years since Zingano and Rousey first were tabbed to fight one another exploded from the start of the evening's main event. Zingano went at Rousey immediately and threw a flying knee to the body in the opening seconds.

But it missed, the women hit the mat, and it appeared as though Rousey might lose her top position as Zingano scrambled. However, Rousey flowed with that energy, flipped over and then snatched up a straight arm bar.

Then, "Rowdy" Ronda spun completely around and tucked her opponent's limb behind her back, hyperextending it and forcing the tap-out. Just like that, it was all over.

After celebrating, Rousey showed her respect for Zingano by kneeling and hugging her devastated opponent, who was still on her knees staring at the mat.

Rousey said afterward that she expected Zingano to storm the gates from the get-go."We were expecting that she might come out and do something flying at me right away," Rousey said.

Zingano gave credit to Rousey but said she wanted another go.

"She did good," Zingano said. "I want to do it again. (Expletive)."

Rousey's perfect record extends to 11-0. The loss was Zingano's first in her career, and her mark now stands at 9-1.

Though many believe Rousey has cleaned out her division, the champion said she has at least two women on her mind as potential challengers. "I was really impressed with Holly Holm tonight," she said of the former boxer, who won a split-decision over Raquel Pennington in the co-main event.

"Bethe Correira, she's undefeated. I'd like to take that '0' from her."

Rousey's past three fights have lasted a total of 96 seconds, including two bouts against previously unbeaten opponents.

The sellout Staples Center crowd scarcely could process what it had just witnessed, but Rousey thought it all went according to plan.

"That's not usually how you land an armbar at that angle, but it works. ... It was a lot like judo transitions, where you scramble the second you hit the ground," she said.

But the crowd got what it wanted from Rousey, the Olympic medal-winning judoka who has become one of the UFC's most prominent fighters just two years after the promotion added women's bouts. Zingano was considered the most daunting active threat to Rousey's reign, but proved to be no match for the champion.

Immediately after the fight, Zingano was as stunned as the fans.

"I want to do it again," Zingano said. "I just ... (The armbar) was in, but it wasn't in. She did it. She won. She did good."

For the first time in UFC history, two women's fights headlined a pay-per-view event. Middleweight champion Chris Weidman originally was slated to fight Vitor Belfort on the Los Angeles card, but when Weidman's injury forced a postponement, the UFC promoted Rousey and Zingano to the main event without adding a major men's bout.

Although partly created by necessity, that spotlight is the latest affirmation of Rousey and women's MMA. Just two years after Rousey's debut, the UFC has two busy women's weight classes featuring more than 50 fighters — and Rousey is a movie star, a model and a celebrity who can sell out a large arena in her hometown.

Zingano earned this title shot two years ago with an upset victory over Miesha Tate, but personal upheaval delayed it. After a serious knee injury knocked her out of the matchup and a high-profile coaching spot opposite Rousey on the UFC's long-running reality television show, Zingano was rocked last year by her estranged husband's suicide.

Holm could be the next contender in line for Rousey's belt later this year, and Rousey has said Holm's boxing credentials outweigh her lack of MMA experience. But UFC President Dana White has suggested Jessica Eye will get the next title shot, and Eye demanded her turn in interviews before Saturday's show.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.