Compliments … compliments everywhere!
Miesha Tate is known to fling the mud when she has to, but fortunately for her, she won’t have to for an upcoming UFC women’s bantamweight title clash with champion Holly Holm at the UFC 197 pay-per-view (PPV) blockbuster on March 5, 2016.
That’s because both top stars will be playing the respect game ahead of their co-main event tilt, which will take place inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Cupcake” commented on Holm’s impressive skill set at this week’s UFC 197 press conference (via MMA Fighting):
“I think that Holly’s coaches are far better than Ronda’s and I think that makes her a more dangerous opponent. And she will rise to any occasion as we can see. She surprised me and she surprised the world. And I wouldn’t put it past her to try to do it again at UFC 197. My job is to make sure that doesn’t happen. I’m probably a little bit more anxious for this fight than I would be for another one with Ronda, because I feel like this is a whole new puzzle.”
Holm’s coaches are indeed “masterminds” for their UFC 193 gameplan, which helped them dethrone “Rowdy” back in November. The devastating kickboxer wrecked Rousey over one round, before putting her to sleep with a blistering head kick 59 seconds into round two.
Rousey is now out of action for the foreseeable future due to damage sustained from the kick, but will ultimately like to run it back one way or another with “Preacher’s Daughter” when she’s cleared to compete.
Tate, who went from contemplating retirement to a 135-pound title shot is on quite a roll, having won four-straight tussles over the likes of former title challengers Sara McMann and Liz Carmouche. She also swears she won’t “break” in the Octagon like Rousey.
Perhaps footwork will be the key to solving the Holm puzzle?
For more UFC 197 news and notes click here.