What "Fighting!" Means to Koreans

Korean winters are fucking cold. The summers are hot and wet, and walking outside sometimes feels like walking into a warm bath. That's not to say it's a bad place to visit. The spring is beautiful, and the florescence of cherry blossoms paint the country side a gorgeous shade of pink and orange. Dry dead bushes turn from churned twigs and mangled sticks into bright expositions of vivid green. The autumn is awesome too. Leaves cover the ground as they fall, and kids race to stomp and crunch them on their way to school. Walkways are sheltered by yellow, orange, and fiery red trees. Still, the winters are fucking cold.

The harshness of the winter is why Koreans cherish the spring so much; after enduring the frigid temperatures, frozen side walks, and the piercing wind, springtime is a welcomed relief. My experience of these chilly winters was made easier thanks to modern heating, thick blankets, and my knock-off Northface jacket bought for ₩30,000 in Iteawon. 

In ancient times winters meant a struggle for survival. A staple of Korean cuisine is kimchi- a product of these harsh Korean winters. The mountainous landscape made it hard to grow food, and in preparation for the winter ancient Koreans would ferment cabbage and bury it in the ground to keep it from fully freezing over. This became a much valued source of vegetables during the cold season. Over time, spices and flavors were added to turn this dish from a survival tactic to an essential part of almost every Korean meal. 

Kimchi is just one example of the Korean ability to make the best out of a dire situation. It is in the Korean character to endure- to fight. Before embarking on a difficult situation, it is common to hear Koreans shout "FIGHTING!" as a way to bolster their spirits. These situations can be anything from taking a school exam to fighting in cage for Road FC. Once on a rafting trip through river rapids our Korean guide had us yell "Fighting!" every time we came up on a rapid, and then again after passing the white water. 

Many people have used the metaphor of a fight to represent struggles in life. Ronda Rousey's book centered on the idea that her life was a fight, and Chael Sonnen regularly refers to getting out of bed in the morning as a fight. But to Koreans fighting is not just a personal character trait that makes one tough or willing to endure- it is a cultural identity.

Being Korean is tough. To survive both as a sovereign nation and as a distinct cultural group, Koreans have had to fight. From the Mongol Invasions, to the Japanese occupation, to the civil war that split it into north and south, fighting drives Korean history. Not just militarily either.

Immediately following the Korean War, the south was left in an economic abyss. Stubbornly and tirelessly, South Koreans built one of the most influential nations on the globe in terms of technology and culture. The millions of people that watched "Gangnam Style" on Samsung and LG devices are a testament to how hard they've fought. So is the recognition of Tae Kwon Do as an Olympic sport practiced all over the planet.

From having to bury cabbage in the ground for survival to having the whole world doing an invisible horse dance, Koreans have come a long way. The ability to endure is more than a personal virtue to Koreans. Instead, it is a national ethos. 

Chan Sung Jung's aggression, Samsung's rivalry with Apple, my friend Hyung Su's fight with cancer,
and even the fucking cold winters are all examples of how Koreans fight. Fighting is what is expected; fighting is Korean.

The Fight Fan

My grandpa was a fight fan. Before we had cable, he would put on a thin jacket and his dodger blue baseball cap before heading out to the nearest bar that had the Chavez fight. My uncle Hugo would go with him sometimes. When they got back, I'd be on the sofa sleeping, Hugo would wake me up as he set up the other sofa to sleep on. I'd ask him who won, and he'd always reply "Chavez." Every fucking time.

As I got older, Hugo and I shared a bedroom instead of the living room. We even got cable, and eventually a box in every room. Hugo and I would watch Raw and Nitro interchangeably. We even discovered how to  get scribbly PPV's for free. Jim Ross's colorful commentary did more than just fill in the gaps left by the static on the screen, he sucked us into the story and action. My grandpa wouldn't watch though, "It's fake," he'd say and go back to the living room. No one else in the family understood why Hugo and I watched pro-wrestling. They thought AAA was fun since it was more acrobatic, and everyone enjoyed a movie marathon featuring "El Hijo del Santo." Still, American pro wrestling wasn't their thing.

Boxing was another story though. The crowning jewel of 90's piracy, a black box, befell on La Habra California. Now the fights came in clear (WWF pay per-views too). Suddenly, Saturday nights were devoted to Tyson, De La Hoya, Vargas, Roy Jones, and Trinidad (Sundays to Austin, HBK, and The Undertaker).

When there was a Mexican fight, we all watched. As a kid I remember the excitement in the air as we all cleaned up the house to get it ready for guests. My uncles and aunts would come over, and occasionally a few friends from work too. I'd argue with Hugo about how the fight would go. My grandpa would routinely check in and see if the event had started. My grandma always downplayed how good the Mexican boxer was in order not to get her hopes up. My mom and aunts would start getting nervous and pray for our fighter to win.

Once the fight finally started the excitement was palpable. Everyone sat around the TV, the youngest of us had to sit on the ground, but it didn't matter. I was just so happy to be there. All the adults watched eagerly, reacting to every blow with cheers and shouts. When the Mexican fighter was hit my aunt Ivonne would cover her eyes in fear. My mom would yell at the opponent to stop it and call him names, careful not to curse as she was a good catholic woman. "Malo! Feo!"

I remember the respect these men on the TV got. How they seemed larger than life. How they would radiate confidence. How they would dig deep and charge into the fire without a trace of fear. They were everything my pudgy 10 year old ass wasn't.

But mostly, I remember how my grandpa watched the fights. How calculating he looked as he observed every movement, every step and punch so carefully. I remember how much he admired these guys, and how proud he'd look when the Mexican won. I remember how objective he was too. How his bias never really got the better of him when watching; while everyone would look for excuses if the Mexican lost, he'd shrug and say "asi es." His reverence for the sport was infectious, and it has stayed with me since. It is the one thing he really left me after he passed, it is the one thing that always brings me back to him. I am a fight fan today because mi abuelito was one first.

Classic Scraps: Pele vs Newton

The stare down said it all. Pele’s face brimmed with confidence as if to ask “What are you doing in this ring with me?” Meanwhile, Newton’s face seemed to say, “I don’t fucking know.” Billed as a “striker vs grappler” match-up, the fight itself was both a clash of styles and personalities. Pele’s demeanor radiated arrogance; his dismissive attitude for Newton was evident. Newton on the other hand looked the part of a school nerd taking on the bully (granted, this school nerd was yoked out and a former UFC champion). Still the difference in their demeanor set up how the fight played out. Pele trying to assert himself as the superior fighter- emitting bravado, and Newton serious and collected- conscious of the task at hand. The opening bell rang, and the two fighters made their way to the center of the ring. Pele smiling, dancing, his hands down by his hips. Once within striking range he fired a swift head kick that grazed the top of Newton’s head. Considering his options, Newton threw a hard right hand and quickly closed the distance in an attempt to bring the fight to the ground. He was eventually able to get the fight into his world, where Pele showed his versatile game by throwing up an oomoplata and putting Newton on defense. A wild grappling exchange resulted, and the two men got back to their feet. After closing the distance again, “Ronin” then executed a sloppy judo throw which nearly resulted in Pele taking his back. From the top position, Newton began to advance position forcing Pele to explode back to his feet. Newton, relying on his instincts and muscle memory, recognized the scramble and quickly found himself with Pele’s arm fully extended in an armbar. Wincing and clearly in trouble, Pele pulled away from his opponent prying his arm free; then stood over his foe shaking his head disdainfully. Newton responded with a nod, knowing he had earned Pele’s respect despite the antics. A roar of appreciation emerged from the typically silent Japanese crowd. In just 4 minutes, the fans knew they were watching an instant classic. Eager to get the fight back to the ground, Newton shot in for a takedown following a chaotic exchange on the feet. Unfortunately for him, the takedown attempt was abruptly nullified by a perfectly timed knee to the face. The crack echoed through the arena and sat Newton down on his ass. Pele made it known that he was still dangerous. More rapid exchanges of punches and clinch work ensued, with Newton trying desperately to close the distance. Suddenly, another ferocious knee shot upwards and crashed against the Ronin’s face sending him backwards and nearly dropping the former UFC champ again. Newton smiled, gave a thumbs-up, and reengaged his foe. Clearly dazed, he staggered away as the Brazilian threw more punches, kicks, and knees. Then, in a reversal of roles, Pele clinched Newton, and threw him to the mat. Perhaps it was an attempt to prove himself the superior fighter; to show Newton that he felt comfortable no matter where the fight went. A quick explosion from Newton got him back to his feet with a single. He ran the pipe and dumped Pele on his back. As Newton postured and began to pass the guard, Pele snatched onto a Kimura grip without the control of Newton’s hips. Recognizing this, and with Pele attempting to wrench his arm out of place, Newton spun his hips around, tucked himself under Pele’s arm and extended with all his might. Pele refused to tap, and forced Newton to exert even more energy. Wearing the effort on his face, Newton drove his hips into the elbow with everything he had finally forcing the proud Brazilian to tap. The end showed a different demeanor in both fighters- Pele visibly disappointed, shocked, and frustrated, and Newton ecstatic. It was a classic fight, one worthy of remembering as a perfect representation of Mixed Martial Arts. The fight went everywhere, both fighters were willing to take risks in pursuit of a finish. It may not have been a main event, and there were no belts on the line, but both men showcased the heart of a real fighter.

No Apologies: McGregor and Trump's America

McGregor thrives in Trump’s America. A man who truly doesn’t give a fuck and understands his worth knows no limits. He can say what he wants, offend groups of people, and break all the rules so long as he shows up on game day- when it’s all on the table. Both of these men have basked in the silence of their critics. With all the rules broken, and all the bridges burnt these two have taken us to some new place in history where we don’t know what happens next. We are in unprecedented times with an unprecedented champion.

We are living in one of those rare moments in time when the fight game’s chaotic history is synchronized with to the chaotic time it exists in. Like Ali and shit. These moments, when the world looks to athletes for the answers, exist in other sports too. However, when a fighter sits center spotlight, it’s special since fighting is the ultimate expression of freedom from rules and conventionality. Part of Ronda Rousey’s appeal, for example, is that she breaks conventional wisdom’s take on women and femininity. She is a badass but still shows her vulnerability, there are no standards for her to abide. She’s a cage fighter, and without the weight of social expectations on her back, Ronda is free to be herself even when it means being a bitch and to apologize to absolutely nobody.

And that is where America is right now- fully independent of conventional wisdom. The next president will be a foul mouthed megalomaniac who has offended a lot of people, and isn’t fucking sorry. To that point, MMA has Connor McGregor, the foul mouth megalomaniac holding two belts simultaneously, asking for a piece of the company pie. Unprecedented.

By being so bold as to threaten not to return to fighting without being set up for life, McGregor is redefining the relationship between promoter and fighter. The position he finds himself will surely have enormous effects on the UFC and MMA in general. He has forever changed the way fighters view their potential worth. This uncharted land where a fighter’s brand can outgrow the UFC will bring more bargaining power for the athletes. It may prove to be better for fighters and fans alike. A genuine superstar with a drawing power that supersedes the UFC can start bidding wars among promotions, co-promotion between rival companies, or a promotional split between the star and the UFC itself. However to view the flip side to that coin fans should look to boxing. Instead of big fights being made by a strong promotion, drawn out negotiations between management teams block the fights fans want to see.

Whether McGregor’s bargaining power benefits the sport in the future or not remains to be seen. However, one thing is for certain- at a time when anti-establishment fever is at an all-time high, Connor has the UFC by the pussy. They need him to come back and defend those belts. To strip him of those belts would not only add to his mystique, but also free him from the “Champion’s Clause”. At the end of the day WME-IMG needs him far more then he needs them. Connor McGregor is no longer a UFC fighter, instead the UFC serves as the platform for his show. So it’s within reason that he wants a piece of the pie, and in today’s America when you want something you step up and grab it.

The Fair Roll: Jiu Jitsu in Australia

Things change quickly in Australia. It is a country constantly evolving due to its ever-changing environment that forces things to adapt or die. Hence, survival of the fittest is an underlying theme in Australian history that has not only shaped Oz’s flora and fauna, but also its unique social and cultural makeup. The first people to arrive had to learn to deal with giant marsupial lions chasing after them, and later the British settlers learned to live under the sun for the first time. Thus, many social structures like castes and traditions that existed in the old country had to be discarded in this new environment. The ability to change with the times is how a colony of banished criminals laid the foundations for one of the worlds most developed and stable nations. As time progressed British settlers realized they had to abandon old past-times like rabbit hunting and oppressing brown people, while the indigenous people had to learn to adjust to western social structure introduced by the original boat people. Sure there has always been push back from the status-quo, but Australians historically understand the need for change. Take Aussie rules football for example. At some point someone looked at soccer and thought, “Hey why not add aerobatics and brain trauma to this boring fucking game? That’ll make it much more interesting.” Indeed, Australia provides a blank slate where good ideas will be heard with an open mind. Hence, Adaptability is a pillar of the Australian identity, and this characteristic defines the nation’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu scene.

Though BJJ is a martial art, it is also a science. Any claim to a technique’s effectiveness must be peer reviewed through application against a resisting opponent-first in the gym and then in competition. Aussies understand this well, and treat world class competitors as case studies in a lab. Anyone with a lap top can see exactly how guys like Keenen Cornilious and Ruben Cobrinha sweep and strangle people. Despite not having an Andre Galvao available to train with, technology allows Aussies to study the best games in competitive BJJ regardless of affiliation. According to Australian Black Belt Lachlan Giles, "One of the benefits we got. [Even though some] would see it as a disadvantage [is that] we don’t have a world champion [coaching] here... I myself I learn a lot from watching videos of the worlds.” As techniques emerge and prove their effectiveness against the best in the world, Aussies will take note and add those techniques to their repertoire.

The lack of jiu jitsu dogma allows grapplers in Oz to pick and choose freely across team lines without fear of offending their lineage. The fact that Australia is really fucking far from jiu jitsu hot beds like Brazil, the US, and Japan allows Australians to be technique tramps. Even domestically, the sheer distance between big cities means no infallible figure can dictate how to train. The sport first appeared in Australia in the early 90’s under Peter De Been and John Will in south Victoria. These two guys traveled out of the country and brought back techniques learned from training in Brazil and the US. As word got out students from all around Oz began making the pilgrimage to Melbourne and setting up shop back at home. It’s lucky that Aussies enjoy traveling, and training became another excuse to fly out to Melbourne or Japan, or Brazil, or the US. Thus Aussie’s love for travel helped spread the art quickly, and since the masters were so far away, each instructor had the autonomy to teach BJJ the way he/she saw fit. Gerry Young of Hobart Martial Arts Academy in Tasmania says, “One of the defining characteristics of Tasmania is its isolation… However the result of this isolation has almost always been innovation and creativity.”

Another way adaptation helped mold BJJ in Australia was the end of the “White Australia Policy” in the 70’s and 80’s; which made it easier for non-European immigrants, including Brazilians with BJJ experience, to settle in Oz. Today, Australia stands as one of the world’s most ethnically diverse nations with a staggering 25% of the population born overseas. Furthermore, the 2011 census states that “46 percent of Australian residents were either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas.” This multicultural reality gave way the proud Aussie adage of “a fair go,” meaning Australia is open to anyone that can help make it better through hard work and innovation.

This motto is exemplified within the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in how happy gyms are to welcome visitors. Certainly, Aussies are eager to learn from anyone with something to teach. American wrestler? “Happy to have ya mate!” Japanese judoka? “Give us a toss!” Indeed, the lack of BJJ dogma allows Aussies to absorb anything that works best for them. It’s a bit of “jiu jitsu Darwinism” made possible by the fact that old masters are really far away and Aussies are used to seeing different views and opinions.

This open-mindedness also helps drive Australia’s strong female jiu jitsu scene. Though female BJJ still has a ways to go in terms of representation and exposure, Aussie comps tend to showcase jiu jitsu chicks with the respect they deserve. BOA 8 for example brought in World Champ Michelle Nicollini to compete in a superfight against home grown Aussie Black Belt Josephine Masiello. But the female jiu jitsu scene transcends comps, and should really be measured in how commonplace it is to find girls training. And thankfully, social networking groups like Jess Fraser’s “Australian Girls in Gi” and Tess Hunt’s “Babes in Belts” help promote female participation and networking.  

Driven by the open-minded nature of Australians, the BJJ scene continues to grow both nationally and abroad. Jiu jitsu’s popularity since the 90’s grew so much that FIFO workers (guys that fly to the worksite for a week or two and then fly home for a week or two) can sometimes find others to get together and roll at their work site. It’s also not uncommon for little cities outside of the urban hubs to have jiu jitsu gyms. Take Christopher Mazzali for example. He runs Mitsu Domoe in Albany, a 4.5 hour drive from Perth. When asked what motivated him to open the gym he responded: “I just needed guys to choke.” As did Grayson West who opened Legion 13 in Western Australia, and Jason Roebig in Queensland, and Rodney Ellis in New South Wales. They helped entrench the roots of jiu jitsu deep in Australia’s red soil, and now the BJJ scene has grown so healthy that it is pollinating the surrounding areas. In South East Asia for example, the jiu jitsu scenes in countries like Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam are heavily influenced by Aussies living abroad, with Aussie blokes working as either owners or instructors in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phenom Penh.

The jiu jitsu in Oz serves as a microcosm of Australian culture as a whole, because Australians have to be open-minded. Despite the fierce rivalries that emerged in the early days of Australian jiu jitsu, those old fires eventually died down, and cross training is now common. Take Frank Barca’s 10^th Planet affiliate in Melbourne for example. While in the US the 10^th Planet system still strives for acceptance by the traditional BJJ community, his gym is frequently visited by sheilas (Australian for girls) and blokes from all around the country looking to grow their arsenal. Why? Because the shit works.

It’s this ability to give everyone “a fair go” and judge them and their ideas purely on merit that makes Australia’s young BJJ scene so vibrant. On the competitive side of things, Aussies are starting to make a splash on the international scene, but perhaps the best indication of how far along BJJ has come is the fact that the sport is found in every major city. Whether in a mega gym in Melbourne, Victoria or in a small gym in Hobart, Tasmania, Australians are eager to train with new people. In fact, the scene is so healthy that Australians have taken on the roles as ambassadors of the sport. And that’s good fucking news for those living in places where jiu jitsu is scarce, because Australians like to travel and they are not afraid to rock up and roll.

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Growing the Community: BJJ Globetrotters

Bill Gates once said, “The internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.” In this virtual town square, any individual can share an idea and find like-minded individuals to create a community. Individuals like Christian Graugart, who founded Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Globetrotters- a group of traveling shogun badasses looking to train jiu jitsu with other badasses regardless of affiliation, belt color, race, religion, or gender.

Grugart’s goal is to “create a team against teams. An alternative Jiu Jitsu affiliation, that [pokes] the traditional notion of our tribalised culture.” The idea being that the BJJ community can transcend all the bullshit that keeps people separated. Let’s move past all the petty rivalries and just move the game forward. We are all in this sport together, we all share a passion, and we can all relate to each other’s experience. So why not train together and get friendly?

BJJ Globetrotters injects its members into an online network of academies and training partners from all around the world. Membership for both academies and individuals is free. An affiliate gym will allow visiting members to train for one week free. With over 150 gyms affiliated, members can find a place to train almost anywhere, and the global network opens up gym doors to guests with an unfamiliar style of BJJ, thereby growing each other’s game. BJJ Globetrotters even started “a completely free, couchsurfing style service that matches BJJ travelers and hosts from around the world.” They call this service “matsurfing” and it essentially means members are willing to house travelers as they pass through town. All they ask is you not be a serial killer and that you follow/promote the team values:

We don’t pay each other any affiliation fees

We wear any patches we like on our gis

We are free to represent any (or no) team in competition

We encourage training with anyone regardless of affiliation

We are willing to promote anyone who deserves it—members or not

We arrange camps, seminars and visit each other for training and fun

We believe everyone is equal both on and off the mats

We strive to enjoy life, people and the world through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

 

BJJ Globetrotters puts the opportunity to enrich the global jiu jitsu community at your fingertips. Whether it’s the Arab Spring or the founding of “A community of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners of all levels from around the world,” the internet has proven to be more than just a channel to access pornography and cat videos. Christian Graugart’s movement to create this global network of BJJ hobos is a step towards creating a real community among jiu jitsu practitioners. In my travels I’ve found that a good roll makes a fantastic ice-breaker; even when my partner and I don’t speak the same language, we both speak Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. So please sign up at their site, tell your friends, your instructors, and give back to this awesome fucking sport we all love.

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Sun Tzu's Art of War: Rousey vs Zingano

The popularity of Woman’s Mixed Martial Arts continues to grow at an exponential rate. The UFC crowned its first ever Female Strawweight Champion following a successful all-female season of TUF. Along with the growing exposure, the talent pool is also blowing up, forcing veteran fighters to adapt or be left behind. This capricious nature of WMMA makes it very difficult to envisage how fights will go. Nonetheless, here is a closer look for the upcoming Bantamweight title fight between Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey and challenger Cat “Alpha” Zingano.

1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the moral law? (Who is harder to finish?)

• If Cat Zingano is anything, it’s tough. In both her UFC fights she weathered submission attempts and brutal Ground-N-Pound to get a TKO finish in the 3^rd. Ronda Rousey fought off a nasty Rear Naked Choke attempt from Liz Carmouche and against Sara McMann she ate flush right hands and looked unfazed. Both ladies have showcased their heart in past fights and have demonstrated an indomitable spirit. If there is a finish in this fight, rest assured it will be hard earned. EVEN

2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (Who has the better camp?)

• Boxing coach Edmond Tarverdyan runs the Glendale Fighting Club. The gym is home to current champ Ronda Rousey. Under Edmond’s tutelage Rousey’s striking is rapidly improving (evident in her annihilation of Alexis Davis at UFC 175). Cat Zingano belongs to Elevation Fight Team, the brainchild of Leister Bowling. EFT runs out of the Muscle Pharm Training Center in Denver where Bowling focuses on preparing elite MMA fighters with the best coaching and equipment possible. Without a gym to run, Bowling is solely dedicated to ensuring victory for his athletes, and it is my opinion that this is the camp format of the future. Advantage: Zingano

3) With whom lie the advantages derived from heaven and earth? (What advantages surround the fight?)

• At a time when the UFC is struggling to replace the stars of yesteryear, Ronda Rousey’s stock continues to grow in the form of endorsements and movie roles. Rousey understands that her success rides on her ability to beat trained killers inside a locked cage. Despite this pressure, Ronda always looks at home in the Octagon. How well Zingano handles the lights of the main event is yet to be seen. Furthermore, this will be her first time in a 5 round fight. Furthermore, Rousey is a popular champion fighting in Las Vegas; to snag a decision against her will be very difficult. Advantage: Rousey

4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (Who's in better shape?)

• Rousey saw the 3^rd round once in her career when she finished Miesha Tate after a high paced 2 rounds. But Cat Zingano has far more experience gutting out prolonged wars. While the championship rounds are uncharted territory for both ladies, Zingano proved time and again that she can push through fatigue late in a fight. Advantage: Zingano

5) Which army is stronger? (Who's stronger?)

• Judging by their history, Cat Zingano looks to be more physically imposing than Rousey. Off her back, Zingano likes to check her opponent’s balance and explode to roll them over. In the clinch she will drive through girls to drag them down, and once on top Zingano puts tremendous pressure to wear down opponents and eventually break them. Rousey showed her strength when she bullied Sara McMann up against the cage and ket her there. However, Zingano is much happier to utilize her horsepower to out muscle opponents. Advantage: Zingano

6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (Who's more well- rounded?)

• Both competitors excel in the clinch and on the ground, and whoever can get the dominant position will likely walk away with the belt. But if neither is able to establish dominance in the clinch, look for them to break away and strike. Once in striking range Rousey’s boxing is much more fluid, but she lacks head movement and tends to bull rush when hit. Zingano, though slower, throws powerful punches to back opponents up, but leaves her head on the center line while throwing. The most blaring discrepancy in technique is how the two handle being on the bottom. Zingano tends to use her strength and explosiveness to roll opponents, but her hips are generally flat as she waits for openings. Ronda on the other hand will use her hip escape to create space to either get up or attack submissions and sweeps from awkward angles. Advantage: Rousey

7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? (Who can finish the fight?)

• Both ladies are proven finishers. When Zingano gets the top position she unleashes a flurry of GNP that makes girls wilt. However, Rousey can finish fights from any position she gets in. Few people have Rousey's killer instinct and it’s what makes her one of the most dominant champions in UFC history. Advantage: Rousey

HOW ZINGANO WINS: The fight will be a war with both momentum shifting from one side to the other. Look for Cat to get the better of the power punches which will cause Rousey to over-commit trying to establish a clinch. From there Zingano will lateral drop the champ and start raining down elbows and punches. Zingano will find herself in bad spots along the way, but top control and damage will earn her a hard fought Split Decision.

HOW ROUSEY WINS: Look for Rousey to force the clinch and mix in her strikes to confuse Zingano. She’s going to eat some hard shots, but she’ll generally win the striking exchanges forcing Zingano to back up. Once against the cage Rousey will catch Zingano standing tall and trip her to the mat. Rousey advances position and Zingano will look to reverse the position and expose her arm. Rousey brutally collects another arm in round 2.

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