Ronda Rousey next fight set against Cat Zingano as UFC 182 co-main event

If 2014 is the year Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) would like to forget, forever, then the world's leading mixed martial arts (MMA) league is looking to erase the bad memories with a quickness in 2015.

As expected, UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, Ronda Rousey -- who company president Dana White claims is a bigger draw than former champions Brock Lesnar and Georges St. Pierre ever were (read more here) -- will co-headline a pay-per-view (PPV) event opposite Cat Zingano to kickoff the New Year.

Earlier this evening, "UFC Tonight" confirmed the long-awaited showdown for UFC 182, which takes place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 3, 2015.

Rousey recently returned to training (watch video here) after undergoing a corrective procedure on her knee. She most recently annihilated Alexis Davis with a 16-second, first-round knockout at UFC 175 back on July 5, 2014.

"Rowdy" is perfect (4-0) since her Octagon debut back in Feb. 2013.

Zingano, meanwhile, recently returned from major personal and physical tragedies (more here and here) with an impressive come-from-behind victory over Amanda Nunes at UFC 178 two months ago. "Alpha" was scheduled to coach opposite Rousey on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 17 back in 2013 prior to suffering the aforementioned knee injury.

She, too, is perfect (2-0) since making her Octagon debut last year.

It's a great fight between a front-runner, Rousey, and a slow-starter, Zingano, that could certainly steal an absolutely loaded PPV show if it lasts long enough.

UFC 182 features an incredible main event between sworn enemies, Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones, defending his 205-pound strap against undefeated Daniel Cormier. In addition, Hector Lombard is slated to welcome back Josh Burkman to UFC after a six-year hiatus.

That's not all.

To check out the latest UFC 182: "Jones vs. Cormier" fight card and rumors click here.