UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate has not been mincing her words about Ronda Rousey as on her recent press tour to promote UFC 200on July 9 at the T-Mobile Arena in Los Angeles, where she will defend her belt for the first time against Amanda Nunes. While “Cupcake” certainly isn’t underestimating her challenger from Brazil, she does have half an eye on a third meeting with Rousey, who has beaten Tate on both previous occasions.
Tate was a guest on Conan O’Brien this week and said that she is now a far different situation that in her last outings against Rousey. “I am crazy protective about that thing (pointing to her UFC belt), and I am going to protect it,” said the 29-year-old. “I am at the best point in my career and she is at the worst, so I think that I bring a level of confidence. I’ve been defeated before and I have come back stronger for it, and I question whether she can do the same,” added the champ.
Now, them are some fighting words! Tate also told TMZ that it is extremely important for her to get another crack at Rousey, saying: “I feel like something would be missing from my career if I didn’t fight Ronda again.”
Again, in fairness to the champ, she did say that the only way she could fight Rousey was if she defeats Nunes and keeps her strap. Check out the full clip on Conan:
