Miesha Tate is aware of she’ll by no means get the prospect to actual revenge on her previous losses to Ronda Rousey so ultimately searching for out a combat towards Kayla Harrison is likely to 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 closing encounter going down again in 2013. Tate went onto defeat Holly Holm — who knocked out Rousey to win the UFC title — however she by no means acquired 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 unique fighter with the same talent set now that two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison is within the UFC.
“I’ve desperately wished to point out how a lot better I can do now towards a judoka than ever,” Tate informed MMA Preventing after dealing with 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 dealing with Ronda, it was not possible to seek out ladies who had been excessive stage 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 practice 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 suppose it could be nice to combat Kayla Harrison.”
Tate, who returns to motion towards Yana Santos on the upcoming UFC Des Moines card in Might, makes it clear that not like her heated encounters with Rousey, there’s nothing private in any respect concerned with eager to combat Harrison.
In fact she additionally understands that Harrison isn’t the identical sort of fighter as Rousey however coming from an almost equivalent background in judo with an inclination to maul opponents on the bottom at the least makes them considerably related.
That’s why Tate would love the prospect to check herself towards Harrison and maybe exorcise a number of of these Rousey demons alongside the way in which.
“Kayla is a really revered judoka,” Tate stated. “She’s acquired related credentials to Ronda. She’s her personal fighter, she’s her personal particular person. It wouldn’t be as candy as vindicating these two losses to Ronda, nonetheless, it could be an ideal second and I’d take that.
“I’d take satisfaction in individuals saying you understand what, I feel Miesha was proper. She was capable of again up what she stated and she or he did be taught so much about judo and she or he was capable of beat Kayla Harrison and certain 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 turning 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 buddies 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’d simply name for it,” Tate stated about probably difficult the winner. “I feel it’s OK. I feel I’ve earned that.”
