The last two women’s bantamweight champions to enter the Octagon left without their gold, current title holder Miesha Tate plans to buck that trend when she defends her strap against Amanda Nunes in the third to last fight at UFC 200. Her opponent isn’t Ronda Rousey, nor is it Holly Holm.
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“This isn’t just one fight – this is part of my journey, this is part of my legacy and this is part of my destiny”, Tate tells Rolling Stone.
“I’m prepared to go all five rounds if necessary”.
Tate says she doesn’t want to underestimate Nunes in any way.
“I would expect things like, you know, ‘I need to get right back in there, I’ve got to prove this, I’m going to go on another title run.’ Those are not things that I’ve been hearing from Ronda”. Tate knows that as well as anyone.
A member of the media on the conference call attempted to ask Tate about a possible future matchup with Rousey, but the 29-year-old was not having any of that, cutting off the question before it was even fully asked. “There was a point where I was so frustrated with everything; I was contemplating retirement”.
“I think it would be great and especially since they’ve introduced the IV ban”. She took Holm to the ground, gained back control and choked “The Preacher’s Daughter” out cold in a captivating comeback. Just when she’s seemingly down and out, she found a way to flourish.
“Frankie’s a great guy and I respect him, but I have one goal and that’s to beat this guy [McGregor]”, Aldo said. “This is what I was put out to do and all the bumps in the road have just strengthened me”.
UFC star Miesha Tate isn’t done taking shots at Ronda Rousey. However, she also hasn’t faced the spotlight pressure that she will have in this title fight, pressure that Tate feels only strengthens her position in this bout. “She has a tendency to break in fights, and I have a tendency to break people in fights”. I’ve seen her break in the fights she’s won as well as fights she’s lost.
“Her mental, that’s a big weakness, honestly”. I have more determination to be here and to stay here than she does. “I’m here to do all of it and show that I’m the best in the world”.
For Tate, this is her first title defense after securing the belt with a fifth round submission win over Holly Holm earlier this year.
“I know that when I’ve gone through the toughest of tough times – I’ve been head kicked and knocked out, before”.
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“I have to be grounded in the moment and make it happen, so whatever is next can happen”, Tate said.
