Miesha Tate, unable to avenge her losses to Ronda Rousey, is considering a fight against Kayla Harrison to prove her improved skills against a judoka, while keeping an eye on Harrison’s upcoming UFC title fight.
Miesha Tate knows a rematch with Ronda Rousey is off the table. So, she’s eyeing Kayla Harrison as the next best thing.
Tate and Rousey had one of the fiercest rivalries in MMA. They fought twice, with Rousey winning both times, their last bout in 2013. Tate later beat Holly Holm, who famously knocked out Rousey, but never got her rematch with Rousey, who’s now retired.
That left Tate wanting more. Enter Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist now in the UFC. Tate sees a chance to test herself against someone with a similar skill set.
“I’ve always wanted to prove myself against a judoka,” Tate told MMA Fighting. She lost to Rousey twice, but things are different now. With a new coaching staff, she feels ready. Back then, finding women with high-level judo skills willing to spar was tough. Men were available, but they relied more on strength.
Since then, she’s worked hard to improve her judo. “I finally have the tools,” she said. Even if it’s not for a title, fighting Harrison would be great.
Tate is set to fight Yana Santos in May at UFC Des Moines. Unlike her clashes with Rousey, there’s no bad blood with Harrison.
Harrison isn’t Rousey, but their judo backgrounds make them similar. Tate wants to face Harrison to challenge herself and maybe settle some old scores.
“Kayla’s a respected judoka,” Tate said. “She’s got credentials like Ronda. It wouldn’t be the same as beating Ronda, but it’d be a great second.”
Tate hopes to prove herself. “I’d take pride in people saying I was right,” she added. “If I beat Kayla, maybe I could’ve beaten Ronda in a third fight.”
While Tate prepares for her fight, Harrison is set to face Julianna Pena at UFC 316 in June. Tate will be watching closely, not just because she’s friends with Pena, but also because she’s eager to get back in the title race.
“I’m excited to see what happens,” Tate said. “I might just call for it. I think I’ve earned that.”