Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) dropped a bomb on mixed martial arts (MMA) fans last night (May 28, 2013) when it broke news that Cat Zingano blew out her knee and was forced to withdraw from The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18.
The last fighter she beat, Miesha Tate, has been called up to replace her.
That means "Cupcake" will get a second chance to defeat Ronda Rousey following their respective coaching duties on TUF 18. They first met last year under the Strikeforce banner and Tate was submitted via first round armbar.
And she's "stoked" to try to erase that painful memory:
"It's unfortunate for Cat, her injury, but the UFC is all about opportunities. I was so stoked when I heard I was gonna get the potential spot to coach against Ronda and our rivalry, I think it makes for better TV and I get to fight here again."
Rousey retorts:
"I've always respected Miesha as a fighter and I've always respected her as an athlete. How we feel personally really has nothing to do with that. I think she's entirely legit, but I don't feel bad about hitting her."
See them face off on the TUF set here.
Zingano tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (via snap, crackle, pop) and will be out of action for up to nine months following surgery. "Alpha" is expected to receive the next women's 135-pound title shot upon her return.
A replacement for Tate against Liz Carmouche, who is expected to compete at the UFC on FOX 8 event on July 27 in Seattle, Washington, is unknown at this time.
Stay tuned.
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