http://mmajunkie.com/2014/05/miesha-...-of-womens-mma
Former UFC title challenger Miesha Tate has strong words about a heavily discussed and potential matchup between UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Strikeforce veteran Gina Carano.
Among other things, Tate views the potential matchup as “a mockery of women’s MMA” and feels it would hurt the progress made on the female side of the sport since the UFC introduced a women’s division this past year.
“I really feel that it’s just kind of a joke,” Tate told MMAjunkie Radio. “It really is. Gina was a great fighter, and she’s a beautiful women. Ronda is a great fighter, and she’s an attractive girl. But to say that Gina should be able to come in after five years of nothing and take on arguably the best female fighter ever? Come on.
“Women’s MMA has been working to legitimize ourselves for so long, and we finally broke the ice, we’re finally in the UFC, and we’re getting some credibility. Don’t take that away by putting a fight together that is based entirely on looks and has little to nothing to do with skill set.”
Carano (7-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) hasn’t fought professionally since August 2009 and hasn’t registered a victory since October 2008. Rousey (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), on the other hand, has remained very active since her debut in March 2011.
Should Carano opt to make a return to competition, both UFC President Dana White and Rousey have publicly stated they have no issues with the fighter-turned-actress being granted an immediate title shot after nearly five years of inactivity.
Tate is perplexed by that stance. She believes if Carano were to get a title shot right away, it would have nothing to do with her resume or athletic merit, but purely because of her looks and name value.
“The only thing that drives that is they’re both attractive,” Tate said. “It makes the women’s title hold no value. It makes it look like it’s a joke and they just put whatever’s going to sell. If we’re going to really legitimize women’s MMA as a sport and have it respected as a sport, then you have to treat it as such.
“I think what would happen is Gina would get a big payday and sign on the line. Worst-case scenario she gets thrown on her head and has to tap out to an armbar. I don’t see Gina beating Ronda. I know her striking is good and everything, but it doesn’t really matter if you can’t stop the takedown.”
While Tate’s stance is clear, she said she’s not insinuating that Carano is unworthy of being in the UFC completely. She just feels that since this is a performance-based sport, “Conviction” should have to justify her shot at a title by winning fights in the octagon just like everyone else.
If Carano prefers to earn her keep, Tate is more than willing to volunteer her name as an opponent. And if Carano would were to win, “Cupcake” would drop all opposing opinions when it comes to a fight with Rousey.
“If Gina is serious about making a comeback, then I think I would be the perfect person for her to step in to fight against,” Tate said. “I’m not the champion, and it makes kind of a mockery of women’s MMA to have her come in and fight the champion.
“If she can beat me, I’ll wish her well on her way to the title, and I’ll definitely be rooting for her.”
Former UFC title challenger Miesha Tate has strong words about a heavily discussed and potential matchup between UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and Strikeforce veteran Gina Carano.
Among other things, Tate views the potential matchup as “a mockery of women’s MMA” and feels it would hurt the progress made on the female side of the sport since the UFC introduced a women’s division this past year.
“I really feel that it’s just kind of a joke,” Tate told MMAjunkie Radio. “It really is. Gina was a great fighter, and she’s a beautiful women. Ronda is a great fighter, and she’s an attractive girl. But to say that Gina should be able to come in after five years of nothing and take on arguably the best female fighter ever? Come on.
“Women’s MMA has been working to legitimize ourselves for so long, and we finally broke the ice, we’re finally in the UFC, and we’re getting some credibility. Don’t take that away by putting a fight together that is based entirely on looks and has little to nothing to do with skill set.”
Carano (7-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) hasn’t fought professionally since August 2009 and hasn’t registered a victory since October 2008. Rousey (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), on the other hand, has remained very active since her debut in March 2011.
Should Carano opt to make a return to competition, both UFC President Dana White and Rousey have publicly stated they have no issues with the fighter-turned-actress being granted an immediate title shot after nearly five years of inactivity.
Tate is perplexed by that stance. She believes if Carano were to get a title shot right away, it would have nothing to do with her resume or athletic merit, but purely because of her looks and name value.
“The only thing that drives that is they’re both attractive,” Tate said. “It makes the women’s title hold no value. It makes it look like it’s a joke and they just put whatever’s going to sell. If we’re going to really legitimize women’s MMA as a sport and have it respected as a sport, then you have to treat it as such.
“I think what would happen is Gina would get a big payday and sign on the line. Worst-case scenario she gets thrown on her head and has to tap out to an armbar. I don’t see Gina beating Ronda. I know her striking is good and everything, but it doesn’t really matter if you can’t stop the takedown.”
While Tate’s stance is clear, she said she’s not insinuating that Carano is unworthy of being in the UFC completely. She just feels that since this is a performance-based sport, “Conviction” should have to justify her shot at a title by winning fights in the octagon just like everyone else.
If Carano prefers to earn her keep, Tate is more than willing to volunteer her name as an opponent. And if Carano would were to win, “Cupcake” would drop all opposing opinions when it comes to a fight with Rousey.
“If Gina is serious about making a comeback, then I think I would be the perfect person for her to step in to fight against,” Tate said. “I’m not the champion, and it makes kind of a mockery of women’s MMA to have her come in and fight the champion.
“If she can beat me, I’ll wish her well on her way to the title, and I’ll definitely be rooting for her.”
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