While Miesha Tate remains ranked the No. 2 women’s bantamweight fighter in the world after her second loss to divisional champion Ronda Rousey last Saturday, many are wondering what’s next for the ex-Strikeforce titleholder.
As “Cupcake” heads back to the drawing board, it appears she won’t be doing it with only the help of Team Alpha Male.
On Friday, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz, who manages Invicta FC featherweight champ Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino, asked Tate if she’d be interested in training with his star client.
@MieshaTate we need to get u help @criscyborg get ready for her next fight. It will help you both.
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) January 4, 2014
Tate responded succinctly, appearing content to take the self-proclaimed “People’s Champion” up on the offer.
@titoortiz @criscyborg anytime!
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) January 4, 2014
Just over a month ago, Cyborg herself reached out to Tate to train prior to her UFC 168 title tilt with Rousey.
Hey @mieshatate great job! Hope you kick @rondarousey ass! If you ever want to train together let me know! #ossss#heyyy
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 1, 2013
As far as the fight fans know, Tate never book Justino up on the offer then, but she is clearly singing a different tune after losing three of her past four bouts.
Justino is 2-0 under the Invicta banner, winning the inaugural 145-pound title in dominant fashion, scoring her second career TKO over former Strikeforce champ Marloes Coenen.
Cyborg has not competed in MMA since July, though has stayed busy by taking a Muay Thai fight in September.
She defeated previously unbeaten Jennifer Colomb at Lion Fight 11, scoring a Round 2 TKO. She currently does not have her next Invicta title fight booked.
Would it be in the best interests of two of Rousey‘s top rivals to put their heads together and spend a few weeks training together, or would the endeavor be a waste of time at the end of the day?
John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.
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