A year ago, the UFC’s women’s bantamweight class looked like it was going to be dominated by “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey indefinitely.
The division’s first-ever champion, Rousey successfully defended her title six times. This included a string of four straight matches that finished in a total of just two minutes, 10 seconds.
She was on top of the world.
Was.
Fast forward to 2016 and two title changes later, the parity in the division is as good as any in the sport. And that’s fantastic.
As much fun as it was following Rousey’s rise to the top, this is far more exciting to follow. Multiple challengers to the crown, a potential comeback story and rivalries that could live in MMA lore.
Miesha Tate beat former multiple boxing world champion Holly Holm with a rear-naked choke at UFC 196 on Saturday to claim the title. A belt Holm earned after knocking out Rousey last November at UFC 193. Add Rousey’s two armbar submission wins over Tate and it’s a good ‘ol game of MMA rock-paper-scissors.
I know I’ve been watching too much pro wrestling when the first thing I thought of was a triple-threat match for the title at UFC 200.
Add Colorado’s own Cat Zingano — who owns a win over Tate and a loss to Rousey — to the mix and the top of the division is stacked.
Rousey will get the first crack at the new champion — probably at UFC 200 — according to UFC president Dana White in an interview with ESPN. But do you know what would raise the stakes? Have Holm take on Zingano on the undercard to set up another bout against the winner before the end of the year. Guaranteed gold.
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• .
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Former Broncos kicker Jason Elam turns 46. Did you know that he also co-wrote ” ,” a novel about football and terrorism. Also, remember Shawn Mullins? . He’s 48 today.
Joe Nguyen: jnguyen@denverpost.com or @joenguyen
