LOS ANGELES — It’s the nature of the beast, not to mention the nature of the beatdown.
Ronda Rousey demonstrated why she is one of the most compelling athletes in the world Saturday night.
Not only did the women’s bantamweight champion defeat No. 1 contender Cat Zingano of Broomfield in a mere 14 seconds, she did it while carrying UFC 184 — featuring women in the main and co-main events for the first time in UFC history — on her more-than-capable shoulders.
So, now that the shock and awe have worn off, everyone wants to know.
What now?
While Rousey has indicated she would like to fight twice more in 2015, UFC president Dana White revealed Saturday night he has an agreement with Rousey that she can film a yet-to-be-announced movie before her next fight.
But with two title fights — featherweight champion Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor and welterweight champion Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald — already occupying UFC 189 on July 11 in Las Vegas, UFC 190 on Aug. 1 might make sense. Or UFC 191 on Sept. 5. A city has yet to be announced for either card.
So we can ballpark the when. But what about the whom?
Here’s some analysis on what to expect from the UFC and for Rousey as it relates to her next potential opponent — and where that next fight might be: Cristina “Cyborg” Justino.
Most of the talk after Saturday’s fight was about Justino, which was expected after the Invicta Fighting Championships featherweight champion had demolished Charmaine Tweet with a relentless 46-second TKO one night earlier just a few miles away at the Shrine Auditorium.
It’s the superfight matchup between longtime rivals. Some media were comparing it Saturday to Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao.
One catch: While their weight division might be only 10 pounds apart, the fight is further away than that.
White said Rousey is willing to fight Justino, but the fight will take place only at 135 pounds. Justino has twice abandoned efforts to make bantamweight, once saying doctors told her she could possibly die if she did.
Bottom line: Justino needs Rousey more than Rousey needs Justino. Rousey has the UFC title — and the prestige and money that come with it. Justino must make the sacrifices and agree to Rousey’s terms.
The UFC would be foolish to sign Justino and match her up immediately with Rousey. That is a gigantic pair of dice to roll on a 10-pound weight cut.
Justino will have to make 135 pounds first in Invicta FC — and then look good doing it — before the UFC will match her against Rousey.
It could happen, but not next. The time is not now.
Zingano, meanwhile, still seemed stunned that she had not only lost, but the style in which she lost.
Immediately after the fight, a dejected Zingano remained kneeling in the ring before Rousey, who was hopping about with a wide smile, went over and knelt beside her and hugged her.
“I want to do it again,” Zingano said in her in-ring interview before uttering several expletives, seemingly in shock at her inexplicably sudden defeat.
Zingano struggled with her emotions when asked how she was feeling.
“She’s really good. That wouldn’t happen again, you know?” Zingano said. “I just want to know what I can do to get back in there again. Who’s No. 2? I’ll fight them. … How do I get this again?”
UFC executive White, standing next to Zingano, replied: “We’ll make it happen. I need fights. … Whenever you’re ready.”
Holly Holm, Jessica Eye, Bethe Correia and even Miesha Tate could also be on the list of possible upcoming opponents for Rousey.
