LAS VEGAS – Cat Zingano could meet Ronda Rousey for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship at UFC 182 on Jan. 3, provided she can get past Amanda Nunes on Saturday at UFC 178.

Despite her 17-month layoff from competition, UFC President Dana White said Zingano (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is still the No. 1 contender to Rousey’s (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) throne. To retain that status, though, she must defeat Nunes (9-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC).

“Cat’s No. 1 (contender if she defeats Nunes),” White told MMAjunkie at Thursday’s UFC 178 media day. “Cat’s No. 1. Yup.”

UFC 178 takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Zingano vs. Nunes opens the pay-per-view main card, which follows prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Zingano first earned a title shot against Rousey with an April 2013 third-round TKO of Miesha Tate. The 32-year-old was set to coach “The Ultimate Fighter 18” opposite Rousey before knee surgery forced her out of both the show and championship fight.

In the midst of Zingano’s recovery, she was struck by personal tragedy when her husband and longtime coach, Mauricio, suddenly passed away.

Rousey has said she believes she owes Zingano the title fight that felt through, and has voiced her desire to compete in Las Vegas at UFC 182, which currently is scheduled to feature a 205-pound title fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier in the main event.

“I talked to her personally and I promised her, ‘One day we are going to have the title fight you deserve. I’m going to beat you, but we’re going to have it,'” Rousey said. “She’s had a very, very rough year, and I think that’s exactly what she would need. And I’m happy to provide that experience for her.”

Even though Zingano returns from a break of 532 days between fights at UFC 178, the organization has not reneged its promise to grant her a championship fight. That is, of course, assuming she can get past one final obstacle.

For more on UFC 178, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.