Miesha Tate might have gone 0 for 2 in her meetings with Ronda Rousey, but ‘Cupcake’ believes things will be different next time they go toe-to-toe.
The Tacoma-born fighter, who has been lined up for a rematch with Rousey after defeating Holly Holm at UFC 196, claims her potential opponent lacks the same mentality she had earlier in her career.
‘Rowdy’ had six successful title defences at bantamweight before losing to Holm last November, but Tate told Maxim she believes the former champ has lost her edge since that setback.
“I don’t know where her mind is. Is this a comeback fighter? We’re questioning whether she’ll ever fight again,” Tate said in a Facebook Q&A with the magazine.
“She’s in a weird mental state. And I feel like I’m mentally the best I’ve ever been.”
Tate was one of the more sympathetic voices after Rousey lost her belt, even if ‘Rowdy’ wanted her rival to lose to Holm on March 5.
But she said “I wanna rematch her. I’m so excited I have the belt. I’m supercharged and I’m confident.”
Rousey is not expected to return to the Octagon in time for UFC 200, with Tate seemingly keen on a meeting with Amanda Nunes.
However, the Californian has at least made one significant step on the road to recovery – she’s back eating apples again.
