After 16 months off, No. 3 bantamweight and former title contender Cat Zingano (9-2) faced Julianna Pena, the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate at UFC 200. After a promising first round for Zingano with her powerful striking and huge throws, Pena (8-2) nullified "Alpha Cat's" offense and stifled her defense to take a unanimous decision win, with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28.
Take a look at this toss by @CatZingano! #UFC200 https://t.co/16JKSln2P7
— #UFC200 (@ufc) July 10, 2016
Pena also had a lengthy hiatus recently, following a knee injury sustained soon after she won TUF in November 2013. After a year and a half off, she defeated Milana Dudieva via TKO in April 2015 and Jessica Eye with a decision in October of that year. After a legal issue following a bar fight waylaid Pena for several months, her return at UFC 200 proved victorious.
Zingano opened the fight with a hard combo that pushed Pena to the fence, followed by a takedown into side control. The rest of the round went similarly, with Pena briefly establishing dominance but not keeping it. Zingano landed some dazzling takedowns but didn't appear to truly endanger Pena.
Rd 3 all Pena as she kept climbing on cat's back 2-1 #
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) July 10, 2016
The second and third rounds saw Pena controlling Zingano on the mat most of the time and shutting down her escape attempts. Despite Pena's best efforts, she couldn't finish any of the rear naked choke's she attempted. By the time the fight ended, her dominance indicated an easy decision win, and that's what happened.
Pena is tough. Physically imposing. Really impressive ability to negate her opponent. Jake Shields-ian #UFC200
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) July 10, 2016
Pena outworked and outgrappled Zingano the last two rounds. Zingano showed very little in the third. Credit Pena, who wins on my card 29-28.
— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) July 10, 2016
Zingano last fought Ronda Rousey in February 2015, a much anticipated bout that ended in just 14 seconds with a spectacular armbar. Despite her second consecutive loss, she'll almost certainly remain in the top ten, especially given her TKO victory over champion Miesha Tate. Potential fights for Zingano could include former champion Holly Holm—who beat Rousey, Zingano's only other loss—or wrestler Sara McMann in a grappling showdown.
Pena noted in her post-fight interview that "everybody that's been put in front of (her she's) beaten" and called for a title shot. Depending on the outcome of Tate vs Amanda Nunes, that may be a way off. Should Tate retain her title, it's most likely her next opponent will be Rousey or Holm.
However, with Pena's consistent performances and continued development as an indomitable bantamweight, that shot is probably coming.
All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.
