UFC 168 Results: Rousey Picks Up Another Armbar Victory, Forces Tate to Submit In Round 3

This bout was originally scheduled to be Cat Zingano challenging Ronda Rousey for her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship, but Zingano suffered a knee injury and was forced to bow out of the fight. The two were supposed to coach The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 but the series was never in danger. As a matter of fact, it only became more interesting when it was announced that Miesha Tate replaced the injured Zingano.

It was well known that Rousey did NOT like Tate at all, but nobody knew the extent of the hatred until the second episode aired. The rivalry between the two progressed and it all culminated to tonight where Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate went face-to-face in the middle of the octagon.

Ronda Rousey was dominant in all aspects of the first round. Ronda Rousey got the better of Miesha Tate in the striking exchanges and of course, on the ground as well. Miesha Tate was bloodied and battered as she walked back to her corner but the fact remained that she is the first fighter to make it out of the first round against the champion.

Miesha Tate was taken down three times (two of them judo-takedowns) and almost walked into an armbar twice. Ronda Rousey was able to almost turn it into a triangle choke, but Tate escaped all attempts. At the beginning of the second round, Rousey was smiling as she approached the middle of the octagon.

Not even forty seconds into the second round and Miesha Tate was taken down twice by Rousey’s judo-throws. Rousey set up her takedowns with lead left jabs and found success with this method again and again. Tate showed that she was able to take punishment but she was dishing out very little offense. Exactly halfway through the round, Tate was taken down with another judo-takedown and Rousey was in mount in no time. Tate almost found herself in a position for the armbar but she gave it up. Rousey was seconds away from locking in an armbar but Tate barely defended it and Rousey was forced to abandon ship.

Tate never escaped danger, though, as Rousey had Tate locked in an inverted triangle. Tate’s hand was blocking the submission attempt just enough to give her throat enough airtime to breathe, which allowed the fight to go to the third round. Oddly enough, Tate was the first one back to her feet.

Rousey opened up the third with a powerful right hand that sent Tate back to the cage. Tate’s back was against the cage and she was in Ronda’s world. Rousey took her down and it was only seconds before she found herself digging for an armbar attempt. Tate tried to block it but she had nothing left and Rousey torqued, forcing Tate to submit.

Ronda Rousey is still undefeated.

Ronda Rousey defeated Miesha Tate by way of Submission (Armbar) :58 of Round 3