UFC 178: Zingano survives early scare before finishing Nunes via TKO

It wasn't easy, but Cat Zingano continued her quest toward the women's bantamweight title with a third-round TKO victory over Amanda Nunes.

Zingano threw up a few early arm-bar attempts and narrowly survived some vicious strikes and steady ground-and-pound before reversing position and ending the first round with some top-control punishment of her own.

"Alpha" kept Nunes's back glued to the canvas during the second frame, mixing in punches with foot lock attempts while riding out almost the entire round on top. 

With the fight likely tied at a round apiece, Zingano essentially DDT'd/mounted Nunes early in the final stanza, and busted her open with brutal punches and elbows before referee Jason Herzog stepped in to stop the decimation.

Zingano, who endured the suicide of her husband and a torn ACL over the past two years, will likely get a shot at Ronda Rousey the next time she steps into the Octagon.