When Jack Johnson, the first African American HW champion was fighting, the world realized no one was going to beat this guy. They started traveling America looking for any strong white guy they could. Farm boys, Carnies, etc. The called this search the search for the “Great White Hope.” When Joe Louis became champion, he seemed indestructible. His opponents became known as the bum of the month. It was yet another search for somebody, anybody, that could beat this guy.
Today, we have as dominant a champion. It isn’t any of the men, it is Ronda Rousey. It doesn’t feel like there is anyone whom can beat her. But below is our list of potential hopefuls. Each of the below listed women either has a winning record in the UFC (though many have already lost to Rousey) or a winning record Invicta and some of their notable credentials. Who has the best shot? And how do you make any of these women a marketable, interesting opponent for Ronda? Any hopefuls I'm leaving out?
The Great Woman Hope:
In the UFC:
Here are the women at 135 right now with winning records:
Miesha Tate 6 – 3 (UFC) 17 - 5 (Overall) (already lost 2x to Rousey) (Former SF BW champ, won SF tournament, Fromer FCF BW champion)
Alexis Davis 6 – 2 (UFC) 17 – 6 (Overall) (already lost 1x to Rousey) (Former RW champion)
Jessica Andrade 4 – 2 (UFC) 13 – 4 (overall)
Amanda Nunes 4 – 2 (UFC) 11 – 4 (overall)
Sarah Kauffman 3 – 2 – 1 (UFC) 17 – 3 – 0 – 1 (Already lost 1x to Rousey) (Former SF BW champ, Former HCF BW champion)
Bethe Correia 3 – 1 (UFC) 9 – 1 (Overall) (Already lost 1x to Rousey)
Marion Reneau 2 – 1 (UFC) 6 – 2 (Overall)
Cat Zigano 2 – 1 (UFC) 9 – 1 overall (Already lost to Rousey 1x) (Former ROF champ in 2 divisions, FTW champ in 2 divisions)
Holy Holm 2 – 0 (UFC) 9 – 0 overall (Former Boxing Champion; Former Legacy FC champion)
Julianna Pena 2 – 0 (UFC) 6 – 2 Overall (Won the ultimate fighter)
In Invicta:
Tonay Evinger 4 – 0 (Invicta) 16 – 5 (Overall) (Current Invicta BW champion)
Irene Aldana 2 – 1 (Invicta) 5 – 2 (Overall) (Former JF BW champ)
Raquel Pa’aluhi 2 – 1 (Invicta) 5 – 4 (Overall)
Panine Kianzad 1 – 0 (Invicta) 8 – 0 (Overall) (Former CWFC BW champion)
Other Possible Hopefuls
Cristiane Justino (Invicta/UFC) 4 – 0 (Invicta) 14 – 1 – 0 – 1 (Overall) Undefeated SF champion, Undefeated Invicta champion) – Problem: Weighs too much.
Gina Carano 7 – 1 (Overall) – Problem: Retired; been away from the sport along time and it may have moved past her.
Today, we have as dominant a champion. It isn’t any of the men, it is Ronda Rousey. It doesn’t feel like there is anyone whom can beat her. But below is our list of potential hopefuls. Each of the below listed women either has a winning record in the UFC (though many have already lost to Rousey) or a winning record Invicta and some of their notable credentials. Who has the best shot? And how do you make any of these women a marketable, interesting opponent for Ronda? Any hopefuls I'm leaving out?
The Great Woman Hope:
In the UFC:
Here are the women at 135 right now with winning records:
Miesha Tate 6 – 3 (UFC) 17 - 5 (Overall) (already lost 2x to Rousey) (Former SF BW champ, won SF tournament, Fromer FCF BW champion)
Alexis Davis 6 – 2 (UFC) 17 – 6 (Overall) (already lost 1x to Rousey) (Former RW champion)
Jessica Andrade 4 – 2 (UFC) 13 – 4 (overall)
Amanda Nunes 4 – 2 (UFC) 11 – 4 (overall)
Sarah Kauffman 3 – 2 – 1 (UFC) 17 – 3 – 0 – 1 (Already lost 1x to Rousey) (Former SF BW champ, Former HCF BW champion)
Bethe Correia 3 – 1 (UFC) 9 – 1 (Overall) (Already lost 1x to Rousey)
Marion Reneau 2 – 1 (UFC) 6 – 2 (Overall)
Cat Zigano 2 – 1 (UFC) 9 – 1 overall (Already lost to Rousey 1x) (Former ROF champ in 2 divisions, FTW champ in 2 divisions)
Holy Holm 2 – 0 (UFC) 9 – 0 overall (Former Boxing Champion; Former Legacy FC champion)
Julianna Pena 2 – 0 (UFC) 6 – 2 Overall (Won the ultimate fighter)
In Invicta:
Tonay Evinger 4 – 0 (Invicta) 16 – 5 (Overall) (Current Invicta BW champion)
Irene Aldana 2 – 1 (Invicta) 5 – 2 (Overall) (Former JF BW champ)
Raquel Pa’aluhi 2 – 1 (Invicta) 5 – 4 (Overall)
Panine Kianzad 1 – 0 (Invicta) 8 – 0 (Overall) (Former CWFC BW champion)
Other Possible Hopefuls
Cristiane Justino (Invicta/UFC) 4 – 0 (Invicta) 14 – 1 – 0 – 1 (Overall) Undefeated SF champion, Undefeated Invicta champion) – Problem: Weighs too much.
Gina Carano 7 – 1 (Overall) – Problem: Retired; been away from the sport along time and it may have moved past her.