Miesha Tate ready for ‘knock-down, drag-out, barn-burning fight’ with Amanda Nunes at UFC 200
UFC women's bantamweight champion says she's ready for a five-round war with Brazilian challenger in Las Vegas on July 9
UFC women's bantamweight champion says she's ready for a five-round war with Brazilian challenger in Las Vegas on July 9
MIESHA Tate is all set to make the first defence of her UFC women's bantamweight title at UFC 200, and says she's ready for a barnburner of a fight.
Tate sensationally submitted Holly Holm in the final round of their title fight at UFC 196 to become UFC champion for the first time in her career.
And the Las Vegas fan favourite says she faces a stern test as she puts her newly-won belt on the line for the first time at UFC 200 against Brazilian Amanda Nunes.
Many fans had hoped for either a rematch with Holm or even a trilogy bout with Tate's old rival Ronda Rousey.
But 'Cupcake' says she wasn't surprised to be pitched up against Nunes, who comes into the bout on a three-fight win streak.
Speaking at a media luncheon in Los Angeles, Tate said: "Considering Ronda wasn't ready, I felt like she was definitely up there.
"There's a reason she's undefeated, there's a reason why eight of her nine wins are first-round finishes, there's a reason why she's ranked number four in the world.
"I think she's a very viable contender."
[youtube //www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWgzlT8wCKc&w=620&h=349]
Nunes' record suggests the Brazilian is at her most dangerous early in fights, with a host of first-round stoppages on her CV.
But Tate says that won't lull her into thinking she simply needs to drag the Brazilian in to the deeper waters of the championship rounds to score a victory.
"I know that's a tendency in the past of hers, it seems she definitely hits the wall in fights," she said.
"But I think it would be a really p*ss poor gameplan to count on someone just getting tired!
"So I have to assume that she's making changes, she's making those proper adjustments, she's adding things that she needs to her camp to get her conditioning and cardio where it needs it to be.
"I'm looking at her as a well-rounded fighter."
While fans are excited to see Tate make the first defence of her belt, the bout most fight fans long to see is a third meeting between her and Rousey.
[youtube //www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWuB08VGtds&w=620&h=349]
The pair have a legitimate dislike for each other and, with Rousey having won both the previous meetings between them, Tate says she'd love to fight 'Rowdy' one more time and show she has what it takes to defeat the former champion.
"There's still time (to fight Rousey) and I'd rather make sure it's the right time," Tate explained.
"She's not ready now, so she's not really a focal point for me at this point in time.
"I'm not even focused on her at the moment."
[youtube //www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfL1c4YE5vw&w=620&h=349]
Instead, Tate's focus is firmly fixed on her UFC 200 bout with Nunes, a dangerous challenger who many are underestimating going into this bout.
"Amanda Nunes, I believe, is going to be a great challenge for me. I hope that I go out there and have the best win of my career," Tate said.
"But I'm prepared, always, for knock-down, drag-out, barn-burning fights and I think Amanda's going to be a very good challenge.
"I think this fight's going to show more people why she deserved to be where she's at."