The UFC made its return to Chicago last night, as UFC on Fox came to audiences live Saturday night from the United Center.
The card was headlined by a UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between TJ Dillashaw and Renan Barao, but also featured a match between Miesha Tate and Jessica Eye in the co-main event.
It was a solid scrap that featured a good mixture of striking and ground work. Eye looked solid early, but it was Tate who hit her stride at the right moments, dropping Eye at a couple points and dominating from top position.
The win looks to put Tate into title contention, though she’s not sure of who she’ll fight next. Champion Ronda Rousey and challenger Bethe Correia will settle that next weekend in Brazil, and Tate will likely fight the winner of that bout.
If it’s a Correia win, it will be a fresh matchup, but one likely on hold for an immediate rematch. If it’s a Rousey win, it sets up a third bout between the two rivals that will still be marketable.
Rousey and Tate first met in Strikeforce when Rousey armbarred the title away from the champion. They then rematched in the UFC after a coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter, where tension was high and it built to a highly anticipated rematch. Rousey again was victorious, though it was the first time anybody had taken her out of the first round before.
Let’s be honest. The beauty of both women make them marketable. It’s also the bad blood and Ronda’s larger-than-life personality that has made her a box-office hit.
So there are many reasons why Tate-Rousey III will draw eyes and money. Big rivalries never die, and both women have to be chomping at the bit to get their hands on one another.
Sure, it’s something we’ve seen before, and the outcome may not change, as Rousey is a wrecking ball.
That said, Tate has been very impressive since their last encounter. She has been picking up big win after big win against top opponents. Some of those women include former title challenger Liz Carmouche, Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann and the aforementioned Eye, who was one win away from the title shot before Tate snagged it from her.
So, does Tate have a chance?
Of course, MMA is a weird sport where anything can happen. Just ask Gian Villante, who was big time in the lead last night before getting sloshed by one huge punch by a trailing Tom Lawlor.
Is Ronda the heavy favorite? Of course, she’s the heavy favorite against whomever she fights.
However, it is a fun matchup, Tate has been Rousey’s best opponent, and there is true heat that will get this bout over with the general viewing public.
That’s a win for the fans, the UFC and both fighters looking for a good payday.
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