Ronda Rousey’s meteoric rise in MMA continued on Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio, when she defeated Miesha Tate by submission to win the Strikeforce bantamweight title.
Rousey, who won a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympic Games, had won all of her previous four professional fights in less than 60 seconds, but Tate was much more of a challenge in an entertaining fight.
The two athletes clashed at the weigh-in on Friday, which further hyped up the fight between the experienced champion and the brash newcomer to the sport.
Rousey finally got her opponent in an armbar to end proceedings with 4:27 gone in the first round.
“I was ready for five rounds or one round,” said Rousey after the fight. “She really impressed me with how savvy she was on the ground, at least with her defense.”
Rousey said she would have no problem giving Tate a rematch (once she recovers from this fight) if the fans wanted it, and added that she would also be willing to fight Sarah Kaufman.
“I am game, it’s my job. I am the champ now,” she said.
Check out the highlights of the fight:
Check out this Ronda Rousey gallery from Men’s Fitness
