Ronda Rousey to Rematch Rival Miesha Tate in Bantamweight Title Headliner at UFC 168

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Ronda Rousey will put her UFC women’s bantamweight title on the line at the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s year-end show, when the champion rematches “Ultimate Fighter 18” rival Miesha Tate in the main event of UFC 168.

UFC President Dana White confirmed the booking Saturday night during the UFC 162 post-fight press conference, revealing that UFC 168 will take place Dec. 28 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. No other bouts have been announced for the show.

Rousey, 26, will oppose Tate as a coach on the UFC’s long-running reality series, which premieres Sept. 4 on Fox Sports 1. Though Cat Zingano was initially supposed to take on the champion after her April 13 victory over Tate, “Alpha” saw her “TUF 18” coaching stint scrapped before it began due to a knee injury.

Known for her world-class submission skills, Rousey has finished all seven of her professional opponents via first-round armbar. The Olympic judo bronze medalist captured the Strikeforce bantamweight crown from Tate in March of last year and defended that title successfully against ex-champ Sarah Kaufman before being christened the UFC queen earlier this year. “Rowdy” defended her new title for the first time this past February at UFC 157, taking out Liz Carmouche in the first women’s bout in promotional history.

Tate, meanwhile, has gone 1-1 since relinquishing her Strikeforce strap to Rousey, rebounding with a third-round submission of Julie Kedzie this past October before joining the UFC after Strikeforce shuttered its doors. The 26-year-old made an exciting Octagon debut against Zingano this past April at the “TUF 17” finale, starting strong but eventually succumbing to a third-round technical knockout.