It’s been two months since Miesha Tate was hit with the news that she wouldn’t be lining up against Ronda Rousey for a third time at UFC 193 on November 15, but that disappointment still hurts.
UFC President Dana White virtually guaranteed Tate another bantamweight title shot following her July win over Jessica Eye. Cupcake was left out of the loop as it was revealed Holly Holm will instead fight Rousey, and she remains indignant about the incident, per ESPN.com’s Brett Okamoto:
I understand why they want to make the Rousey-Holly fight, but that doesn’t change the way they handled it. I think it happened the way it did because they didn’t want to risk the information getting out, but in a way, that’s also insulting to me. I’ve been fighting for a long time, and I’ve proven my character. I’m a professional, and I can separate my disappointment from my actions.
I don’t think the UFC did this to be malicious, but I also don’t think they gave me any consideration. This was another day in the office to them, but to me it’s like, ‘You just ruined my life,’ and I feel like they need to understand that a little.
It was almost two years ago that Tate suffered the most recent of her two defeats to Rousey, but the notion was that after building a four-fight win streak, she was deserving of a third opportunity against Rowdy.
At the time Rousey’s fixture opposite Holm was announced, Bleacher Report’s Scott Harris asserted it was more of a business decision and that Tate had more to offer in terms of entertainment:
Holm is the far less familiar face to UFC fans, having fought under its banner on just two occasions; she beat Raquel Pennington and Marion Reneau earlier this year by split decision and unanimous decision, respectively.
However, the Preacher’s Daughter is an experienced boxer and kickboxer to boot, claiming titles in three weight classes in the former, with a record of 33-2-3.
Tate’s comments cast the perception that the UFC could have handled her needs more carefully, and in that sense, one can see why the 29-year-old might hold some resentment toward the organisation.
However, White has done his part to justify Holm’s selection back in September, where he was perhaps within his rights to point out Tate’s 0-2 record against Rousey, per Fox Sports’ UFC Tonight (via MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn):
We had talked about that fight between Tate and Eye being the next contender fight, but when you really look at a fight, Miesha Tate has lost to her twice. She’s lost to Ronda twice. Holly Holm is 9-0 in mixed martial arts. If you look at the range, the distance, the head kicks, all the attributes …
We originally brought Holly Holm into the UFC to fight Ronda Rousey. That fight makes sense. Miesha, at this point in her career, if she loses to Ronda Rousey a third time, it’s a career-killer. I know it seems like Miesha got a bad break in this thing, but realistically when you look at it, Miesha has lost to her twice. Miesha’s going to have to knock a couple more people off to get to Ronda.
White will seek to provide fans with what he thinks is the best contest for the competition, and while it may not be Tate’s time right now, that’s not to say she cannot build toward that desired third clash in the future.
Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter agreed it may have indeed been the right decision to try someone new against Rousey, with Holm bringing a significant striking threat to next month’s bout:
The other possible opponent who’s alleged to have been clawing to get at Rousey for some time now is Cris Cyborg, who spoke to TMZ, alongside Tate, on the set of their film, Fight Valley: Knockaround Girls. They each expressed they’re “ready” to face The Arm Collector.
Tate was overlooked for another Rousey rematch, but she may one day come to appreciate it as a blessing in disguise, with the anticipation once again building toward what seems like an inevitable third duel.
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