Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey at Strikeforce: Columbus March 3rd

Since Ohio licenced Barnett id imagine this is the GP final as well

Anyway, this is a horrible matchup for Tate. She is not a very good striker and while her submission and grappling game is strong, only a fool would think she was up to par with Ronda.

http://mmaweekly.com/miesha-tate-faces-ronda-rousey-at-strikeforce-march-3

In what has to be one of the most anticipated women’s title fights since Cris Cyborg met Gina Carano in 2009, Strikeforce bantamweight women’s champion Miesha Tate will meet former Olympic medalist Ronda Rousey for the title on March 3 in Columbus, OH.

Sources close to the contest confirmed the bout to MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday.

Ronda Rousey has made a meteoric rise in MMA in her brief stint in the sport. A former Olympic bronze medalist in Judo, Rousey burst onto the scene in 2011 and racked up four wins in a row.

She most recently defeated Julia Budd in Strikeforce in only :39 seconds, and immediately called for a fight with champion Miesha Tate.

The sparks began to fly at that point with Rousey and Tate going back and forth in interviews and over Twitter.

Now it appears Rousey will get her wish and face Tate in her first title defense in March.

Tate captured the belt last year when she defeated Marloes Coenen in July as part of the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson card in Chicago.

A winner of six fights in a row, Tate now faces Rousey in what will be a marquee match-up on the March 3 Strikeforce card headed for Columbus, OH and the Nationwide Arena.

Rowdy by armbar

Can't wait

RT @RondaRousey Going to 10th planet 2nite 2learn rubber guard from @eddiebravo ! Watch out girls,my ninja status is increasing by the day!

I bet Eddie hits that....after a bowl.

Eddie's dating some porn chick I think

From Tate 5 hours ago

Quote :: Until you guys hear it from @Strikeforce it is not official, I haven't had anything confirmed so pls dismiss any rumors as just rumors 4 now

Quote :: “@deeCcurry: @MieshaTate is it official yet that u will fight Ronda Rousey in March?” No that is an unofficial rumor at this point

Tate don't want any

I'll wait until it's "official". From the looks of it, this is far from a sure thing at the moment.

lucky...

I think he just came in that pic.

This fight would be better as a clamlapper contest. I would pay money to watch that!

Andrew the Raider King wrote:: This fight would be better as a clamlapper contest. I would pay money to watch that!

It's just fine as a battle of two top female fighters, you sexist pig.

killerofchicken wrote:: Tate don't want any

She doesn't. In over her head

Andrew the Raider King wrote:

hell of a sig/av combo Drew!!! i bow to ye Dana White

They are Lesnaring Rousey in for poor reasons. Kaufman deserves the fight.

i agree. Kaufman should get the shot.

Sarah Kaufman wrote:: "I think it's terrible news," the former Strikeforce 135-pound women's champ said, and you can probably guess why.

"I put in my time and, being the former champ and having had two fights since the only loss of my career, I've definitely earned the right to fight Miesha Tate and fight for the 135-pound title with Strikeforce," Kaufman explained. "Then there's Ronda, who's only been fighting for a year. Granted, she has her judo experience, but she hasn't fought anyone of a high caliber. She's fought at 145 pounds -- hasn't even competed at 135 pounds at all -- and for her to be given the opportunity to fight for the title, it's pretty ridiculous."

"She's scared to fight Cyborg, for sure, and understandably. Cyborg is a formidable fighter. But if you're saying you want a title, it shouldn't matter whether it's at 145 [pounds] or 135 [pounds]. Now she's backpedaling and saying, 'Oh, I want Cyborg to come to 135.' Or maybe she'll do it as a catchweight. Or maybe in four or five fights. She's pretty much just pushing the fight off, clearly running from it."

"It's frustrating to see," Kaufman said. "Gina [Carano] is a prime example, but she didn't push her own looks. Everyone else pushed her looks, and she fought. She had good fights that she looked impressive in. Miesha's been a little bit the same. She's definitely pushed her looks and marketed herself in that manner, but she's also put her time in and worked her way up in the fighting game. Ronda's just the opposite. She's had a couple impressive wins, and really fast, and then just told people, 'I'm pretty so I deserve it.'"

"I've been pushing for the Miesha fight since I fought her," said Kaufman. "That's all I can do, is get in interviews and say what I think, which is that I deserve the fight. Maybe that's not what they want to hear. They want to hear, 'I'm the prettiest and you can market me and sell me to guys.' That's not my thing, and I won't do that. I'll present myself as an athlete and be feminine in my own way without being over the top."

Doubt Rousey makes weight anyways.

Don't worry Kaufman, after Meisha's arm gets ripped off you got next

I think G brings up 2 very good points. She is getting Brock Lesnar type treatment. She has the pre-MMA resume to help them justify her express pace, but still they are using the look/hype for a ratings boost rather then giving it to the more deserving fighter. Kind of weak considering there was already someone else clearly in line before her.
Also having never fought at 135lb and her first time attempting the cut will be for the title? Can she make weight? If she does will she still be the same fighter?

I'm glad they are doing it now. This will be the biggest women's fight since Carano-Cyborg. Kaufman would beat Miesha again and Rousey against her wouldn't have nearly the buzz that this fight could generate. Its better for WMMA

bobbitt15 wrote:: I'm glad they are doing it now. This will be the biggest women's fight since Carano-Cyborg. Kaufman would beat Miesha again and Rousey against her wouldn't have nearly the buzz that this fight could generate. Its better for WMMA

I know what you mean, you are right about this fight having much more buzz then Kaufman vs either fighter. As a fan, I just prefer the more deserving fighter get the shot. Kaufman vs Tate was suppose to happen. Kaufman was already standing in line, her shot was earned before anyone had any thoughts of Rhonda vs Tate. Rousey uses the Sonnen technique, which has proven to be very effective.

I'll take Ronda against Kaufman and Tate in a handicap match. Put money down on which one gets armbarred first

» Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate as TUF coaches?
» Champion Marloes Coenen vs. Miesha Tate set for "Strikeforce: Columbus"
» Miesha Tate not impressed by Ronda
» Miesha Tate out of March 5th bout, Carmouche replaces her vs. Coenen
» Miesha Tate vs Maiju Kujala Strikeforce Challengers 10