Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann Set To Headline UFC 170
Directly after the ink dried on UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey’s “Fight of the Night”-winning submission victory over Miesha Tate at UFC 168, UFC president Dana White was quick to announce “Rowdy’s” next challenge at the post-fight press conference:
“Rousey vs. McMann. February. That’s the headline.”
Rousey is set for a near immediate turnaround to face the No. 4-ranked McMann, who was last seen destroying Sheila Gaff at April’s UFC 159. She pulled out of a scheduled bout with Sarah Kaufman at UFC Fight Night 27 with an undisclosed injury.
McMann presents a great matchup for Rousey because she is also an Olympic medal winner, taking home silver in wrestling at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. Rousey was quick to elaborate on her excitement for the bout:
“Dana actually approached me for this fight. I want to fight again soon. I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m still hungry. This is what I love to do.”
There may be a lot of conflicting opinions swirling about Rousey right now, but you can’t deny that she’s a fighting champion. She’ll receive little time off to turn around and face an elite opponent in McMann.
White was asked which February pay-per-view would feature Rousey vs. McMann, to which he responded:
“The 22nd in Vegas. Evans vs. Cormier will be the co-main event.”
That event is UFC 170, and it was set to feature a main event between Daniel Cormier and Rashad Evans, which will be “DC’s” 205-pound debut. It’s now been changed to a three round affair rather than a five rounder, something that should end up helping Cormier after his drastic weight cut.
Booed after defeating Tate, Rousey may not have all the fans she once enjoyed but no one has been able to figure her out. Will she add McMann to her list of victims?
Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports
