Tag: miesha tate

Miesha Tate Compares Julianna Peña’s Striking to Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 307: ‘People Don’t Realize How Hard She Hits’

Miesha Tate Compares Julianna Peña’s Striking to Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 307: ‘People Don’t Realize How Hard She Hits’Former UFC bantamweight women’s champion Miesha Tate thinks people underestimate Julianna Pena’s striking. On October 4, Pena will attempt…

Miesha Tate Compares Julianna Peña’s Striking to Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 307: ‘People Don’t Realize How Hard She Hits’

Former UFC bantamweight women’s champion Miesha Tate thinks people underestimate Julianna Pena’s striking.

On October 4, Pena will attempt to become a two-time world titleholder when she meets reigning 135-pound queen Raquel Pennington in the UFC 307 co-main event. It will be Pena’s first time competing since her July 2022 loss to Amanda Nunes.

Julianna Pena vs. Raquel Pennington

Considering ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ is 3-3 in her last six fights and hasn’t stepped foot inside the Octagon for more than two years, it should come as no surprise that she’s listed as a +140 underdog while Pennington is trending as a -170 favorite. However, not everyone is convinced that ‘Rocky’ will leave with the bantamweight belt still strapped around her waist.

“I think Julianna’s striking is extremely underrated,” Tate told MMA Junkie Radio. “I think her striking is actually very effective – people just don’t understand it. It’s kind of like (Dricus Du Plessis). I think a lot of people look at him, and they don’t really respect his striking, either. I draw some similarities in their striking.

“(Julianna), when she hits you, it’s not a snapping punch. It’s like a joust. You’ve seen those guys that run at each other on horses (with) the jousting sticks? People don’t realize how hard she hits until they get hit by (her). We saw that happen when she took out Amanda (Nunes). Her boxing might not be traditional, but that’s also a benefit.”

Miesha Tate Likens ‘Rocky’ to Valentina Shevchenko

Tate is also very familiar with Raquel Pennington’s stand-up game, having squared off with ‘Rocky’ at UFC 205 in 2016. It would be Tate’s final UFC fight until coming out of retirement in 2021.

Miesha Tate

‘Cupcake’ likened the champ’s skills to that of another undisputed women’s world champion.

“She’s such a clean, beautiful striker, and she’s very precise,” Tate said of Pennington. “Her defense is so good. I actually liken her style to Valentina Shevchenko. If you think about it, stylistically, they’re pretty similar. They have good bases, and they never overreact.

“Valentina Shevchenko never overextends, Raquel never overextends. They’re both primarily counterstrikers, so they look for somebody to make a mistake. They’re great at parrying punches, they have great head movement, they have very technical boxing.”

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Pennington has won six straight dating back to June 2020 against Marion Reneau. Since then, she’s racked up wins against Pannie Kianzad, Macy Chiasson, Aspen Ladd, Ketlen Vieira, and Mayra Bueno Silva to claim the vacant bantamweight title.

Ex-UFC champion Miesha Tate slams Ronda Rousey for being more focused on ‘Self instead of Self-Growth’

Miesha Tate slams Ronda Rousey, criticizes 'Rowdy' for being more focused on 'Self instead of Self-Growth'Miesha Tate holds no ill will towards Ronda Rousey. She just wishes ‘Rowdy’ felt the same way. It’s been…

Miesha Tate slams Ronda Rousey, criticizes 'Rowdy' for being more focused on 'Self instead of Self-Growth'

Miesha Tate holds no ill will towards Ronda Rousey. She just wishes ‘Rowdy’ felt the same way.

It’s been nearly eight years since Rousey stepped inside the Octagon. Still, the women’s MMA pioneer has found herself the subject of many a headline in recent months following the release of her latest book, Our Fight: A Memoir. And just as it was when she first left the UFC behind, Rousey has found herself the subject of widespread criticism with fighters and fans slamming the Olympian for constantly playing the blame game.

Ronda Rousey

Recently, former UFC bantamweight queen Miesha Tate shared her thoughts on Rousey’s lack of personal growth in the years since closing the door on her combat sports career.

“I personally don’t have the animosity that I had for Ronda at one point,” Tate said on Sirius XM’s MMA Today show with Ryan McKinnell. “The disdain, the frustration, I’ve been able to work through those things and see my fault in it and try to be a better person.

“I wish that I could say that I saw the same growth from Ronda, but it doesn’t seem that way. It certainly seems that she’s holding onto the resentment, the frustration and the anger, and allowing it to dictate her next moves. I do not think the MMA community, in large part, ever turned their back on Ronda” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Tate doesn’t think Ronda Rousey was able to handle the Downside of fame

Tate was undoubtedly Rousey’s greatest foe, squaring off with ‘Rowdy’ in both Strikeforce and the UFC. The two were also featured as opposing coaches on the 18th season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Ronda Rousey

Rousey was at the peak of her popularity in the sport, but she ended up rubbing a lot of fight fans the wrong way with her aggressive and overdramatic attitude throughout the season. More than a decade later, Tate believes nothing has changed.

“She forgot that there were hundreds of thousands of little girls around the world that were still idolizing her,” Tate said. “They didn’t care if she won or lost. They thought she was amazing either way. She doesn’t seem to have come to the point where I would like to see her be yet.“

Ronda Rousey

“I think she’s still really hurt by it, but I think she’s very focused on self instead of self-growth. I think she’s still focused on, ‘Well, this is what happened to me, all these people turned on me, I had all these concussions happen to me, and nobody was thinking about me.’ It’s like, well, hang on, it’s not quite like that.

“People beat you down a bit. It comes with fame. Nobody gets away unscathed in life, much less if your life is put on a magnitude scale where everybody gets to witness your rise like they witness your fall. But it happens to every champion. This is not a Ronda Rousey vs. the world situation. It’s when you are great, sometimes people just want to see greatness fall.”

Multiple UFC fighters, including Michael Chandler and Miesha Tate, barred from testifying during antitrust trial

UFCOn Monday, a pre-trial conference for the UFC’s upcoming antitrust trial was held in Las Vegas Federal Court. Per…

UFC

On Monday, a pre-trial conference for the UFC’s upcoming antitrust trial was held in Las Vegas Federal Court.

Per a report from Forbes, Judge Richard Boulware worked his way through a slew of motions addressing situations that could arise at trial where one side doesn’t want the jury exposed to certain materials. The biggest question of the day would be whether the Las Vegas-based promotion would be allowed to call 13 handpicked witnesses, including five fighters, five managers, and three of its own employees, to testify in front of the jury.

Among them was a mix of current and former fighters, including Michael Bisping, Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, Michael Chandler, Chael Sonnen, and Miesha Tate who were to share their experiences and promotional interactions with the jury. However, the plaintiff’s attorney, Eric Cramer, successfully argued that it would be “trial by ambush,” claiming the UFC never properly disclosed the 13 witnesses. “For most of these 13, we have no depositions and no documents,” he noted.

The UFC argued that plaintiffs made the fighters “known” by asking about or requesting documents related to them during the discovery process.

Boulware sided with the plaintiff, announcing that the 13 UFC witnesses are officially excluded from the upcoming trial. He also excluded any evidence past the end of the class period in June 2017 but will allow evidence before the start of the class period in December 2010.

The UFC could be on the hook for $1.6 billion

In August, the longstanding antitrust suit was granted class certification with over 1,200 fighters effectively suing the world’s largest MMA promoter. Among the named plaintiffs are former UFC fighters Cung Le, Jon Fitch, Brandon Vera, Kyle Kingsbury, and Javier Vazquez. All are expected to testify when the trial begins in April.

The suit alleges that the UFC is an illegal monopoly or monopsony and has snuffed out competition from other MMA promotions to drive down fighters’ wages. If found guilty, the UFC could be on the hook for anywhere from $800 million to $1.6 billion.

Multiple fighters, including Michael Chandler, set to testify on behalf of the UFC in antitrust lawsuit

Michael Chandler and fighters testify on behalf of UFC in antitrust suitMultiple past and present fighters — including active lightweight star Michael Chandler — are scheduled to testify on behalf…

Michael Chandler and fighters testify on behalf of UFC in antitrust suit

Multiple past and present fighters — including active lightweight star Michael Chandler — are scheduled to testify on behalf of the UFC in an upcoming class-action antitrust case, per a brief filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

As first reported by Bloody Elbow, Chandler and former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate are listed as expected witnesses for the defendants in UFC parent company Zuffa’s trial brief. Also listed in the briefs as expected witnesses are Chael Sonnen and UFC Hall of Famers Michael Bisping and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.

The trial is expected to begin on April 15 in Las Vegas, though Zuffa counsel is attempting to push back the date due to a scheduling conflict.

“I don’t have a problem with the quote/un-quote ‘fighter pay’ argument,” Chandler said in a 2022 interview. “I think people think we should make a lot more money because the UFC makes a ton of money on their shows. Well, the UFC’s been at it since 1993.

“Dana White has had 10,000 sleepless nights when most of us fighters are just showing up to practice and going to bed, laying our head on the pillow and getting after it — and getting paid a decent wage for what we do.”

Managers of MMA fighters are also listed as expected witnesses on behalf of Zuffa, including Ali Abdelaziz, Jason House, Josh Jones, Dan Lambert, and Ed Soares. Abdelaziz is best known for representing some of the best pound-for-pound fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman, and Kayla Harrison. Lambert has worked as a manager but is best known as the proprietor of one of the most prestigious gyms in the MMA world — American Top Team.

Current UFC CEO Dana White is expected to be called as a witness alongside former Zuffa co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta and matchmakers Joe Silva, Sean Shelby, and Mick Maynard.

The plaintiffs, made up of former UFC fighters Cung Le, Nathan Quarry, Jon Fitch, Brandon Vera, Luis Javier Vazquez, and Kyle Kingsbury, are claiming the UFC engaged in a scheme “to acquire and maintain monopsony power in the market for elite professional MMA fighter services” by eliminating competition and suppressing wages. If found guilty, the UFC could be on the hook for damages anywhere between $894 million and $1.6 billion.

After being granted a class certification in August, the entire group of defendants is any fighter who competed in the UFC during the bout class, which runs from December 16, 2010, to June 30, 2017. Thus far, no fighter has opted out of receiving compensation should the plaintiffs win the case or there is a settlement.

Transcription courtesy of ESPN’s Marc Raimondi

Kayla Harrison warned against 135 pound fight at UFC 300: ‘It’s going to suck the life out of her, it’s not the best move’

Kayla Harrison warned against bad move to bantamweight at UFC 300 it's going to suck the life out of herAhead of her promotional debut at UFC 300 in April, former two-time lightweight tournament victor and PFL (Professional Fighters…

Kayla Harrison warned against bad move to bantamweight at UFC 300 it's going to suck the life out of her

Ahead of her promotional debut at UFC 300 in April, former two-time lightweight tournament victor and PFL (Professional Fighters League) veteran, Kayla Harrison has been warned against her incoming bantamweight divisional bow against Holly Holm, by former divisional champion, Miesha Tate. 

Harrison, a former two-time PFL lightweight tournament winner, and two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, was confirmed as the latest addition to the UFC’s roster last week by promotional CEO, Dana White.

And booked for an immediate debut in the Octagon, Ohio native, Harrison is slated to take on former bantamweight champion, Holm in her landing at UFC 300 in April – as part of a massive flagship event.

Receiving backing from the aforenoted, White to successfully make the bantamweight limit in her first outing at the weight class, Harrison is said to have already made the cut to 135 pounds successfully in a series of test sessions.

Kayla Harrison warned against bantamweight drop

However, as far as Washington native, Tate is concerned, she would be worried about the possibility of a hugely-depleted Harrison appearing at UFC 300 – as a direct result of a cut to bantamweight.

“When I saw it was at 135 [pounds], I was shocked, because Kayla Harrison begged for a 155 pound division at PFL and she got it and I think she’s been great there.” Miesha Tate told SiriusXM during a recent interview. “She’s been tremendous. I know she’s made 145 [pounds] before, I think it was tough for her. I think 135 is going to really suck the lift out of her, and it’s not the best move.”

In her most recent walk back in November of last year, Harrison landed a unanimous decision win over former UFC bantamweight contender, Aspen Ladd – returning her to the winner’s enclosure following her first-ever professional loss in a trilogy fight with Larissa Pacheco. Harrison currently boasts a 16-1 professional record.

Who wins at UFC 300 in April: Holly Holm or Kayla Harrison?

Miesha Tate accused of turning down rematch fight with Holly Holm at UFC 300: ‘We’re looking for someone tougher’

Miesha Tate accused of turning down rematch with Holly Holm at UFC 300 we're looking for someone tougherFormer undisputed bantamweight champion, Miesha Tate has been accused of refusing a rematch fight with fellow former division titleholder,…

Miesha Tate accused of turning down rematch with Holly Holm at UFC 300 we're looking for someone tougher

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Miesha Tate has been accused of refusing a rematch fight with fellow former division titleholder, Holly Holm according to the latter’s manager, who has claimed the former has turned down multiple offers to fight the Albuquerque veteran – amid continued links to a re-run at UFC 300 next year.

Tate, a former undisputed bantamweight champion, made her return to the Octagon and the bantamweight limit at the start of the month at UFC Austin, turning in a dominant performance en route to a one-sided third round rear-naked choke win over Julia Avila.

The victory snapped a two-fight skid for Washington veteran, Tate, who also recorded her first stoppage victory since dispatching the above-mentioned, Holm in the co-main event of UFC 196 back in 2016 in the pair’s undisputed bantamweight championship fight.

Miesha Tate accused of ducking Holly Holm rematch

And weighing up the option of squaring off with the Jackson-Wink MMA staple, Holm in a rematch – amid talk of a potential re-run against common-foe and inaugural bantamweight queen, Ronda Rousey, Tate has been accused of refusing multiple offers to fight Holm again.

“She (Miesha Tate) wants nothing to do with Holly (Holm),” Lenny Fresquez told MMA Junkie during a recent interview. “She’s turned down the fight three times already. We are looking for someone tougher.” 

Headlining UFC Vegas 77 most recently back in July, Holm, the current number six ranked bantamweight contender suffered an initial second round ninja choke submission loss to incoming UFC 297 vacant title chaser, Mayra Bueno Silva until the bout was overturned to an official ‘No Contest’ after the Brazilian tested positive for ritalinic acid following the main event bout. 

Who wins in a potential rematch: Holly Holm or Miesha Tate?