Miesha Tate is aware of she’ll by no means get the prospect to precise revenge on her previous losses to Ronda Rousey so ultimately looking for out a combat in opposition to Kayla Harrison may be the following neatest thing.
Thought to be one of many fiercest rivalries within the historical past of the game, Tate fought and fell to Rousey twice with their ultimate encounter happening again in 2013. Tate went onto defeat Holly Holm — who knocked out Rousey to win the UFC title — however she by no means received to run it again with Rousey once more with the now former champion settled into retirement with no plans to ever compete once more.
That clearly left a bitter style in Tate’s mouth however she may get an opportunity to face a special fighter with the same talent set now that two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison is within the UFC.
“I’ve desperately needed to point out how a lot better I can do now in opposition to a judoka than ever,” Tate informed MMA Preventing after going through Rousey — an Olympic bronze medalist in judo. “As a result of I did lose these first two matches to Ronda and I simply didn’t perceive it. I’ve a wholly completely different teaching employees now. I’ve individuals who actually can mimic somebody who has a judo background when at the moment after I was going through Ronda, it was unattainable to search out ladies who have been excessive degree in judo but additionally OK with me punching them within the face as I’m making an attempt to not get thrown. I couldn’t discover it. I did prepare with some males however the males weren’t as slick as Ronda. There have been much more about muscling issues.
“So since that second in time [I’ve been] making an attempt to be a lot better at [judo]. I really feel like I lastly have the instruments. So at any level, even when it’s not for a title combat, I do assume it might be nice to combat Kayla Harrison.”
Tate, who returns to motion in opposition to Yana Santos on the upcoming UFC Des Moines card in Might, makes it clear that in contrast to her heated encounters with Rousey, there’s nothing private in any respect concerned with desirous to combat Harrison.
After all she additionally understands that Harrison isn’t the identical type of fighter as Rousey however coming from a virtually an identical background in judo with a bent to maul opponents on the bottom not less than makes them considerably related.
That’s why Tate would love the prospect to check herself in opposition to Harrison and maybe exorcise a couple of of these Rousey demons alongside the best way.
“Kayla is a really revered judoka,” Tate stated. “She’s received related credentials to Ronda. She’s her personal fighter, she’s her personal individual. It wouldn’t be as candy as vindicating these two losses to Ronda, nevertheless, it might be an important second and I’d take that.
“I’d take delight in individuals saying what, I feel Miesha was proper. She was capable of again up what she stated and she or he did study quite a bit about judo and she or he was capable of beat Kayla Harrison and sure in the event that they ever had that third combat, she’d beat Ronda, too.”
Whereas Tate is scheduled in Might, Harrison will get her first crack at changing into UFC champion when she faces Julianna Pena within the co-main occasion at UFC 316 in June. Tate is clearly going to maintain an in depth eye on that matchup not solely as a result of she’s been mates with Pena for a few years but additionally as a result of her curiosity in getting again within the title race earlier than later.
“I’m excited to see what occurs between these two and I would simply name for it,” Tate stated about doubtlessly difficult the winner. “I feel it’s OK. I feel I’ve earned that.”
