The MMA is world is abuzz with talk of whether or not the UFC is on the cusp of adding women to its roster of fighters, marking what would both be an important moment in the organization’s history as well as that of female athletics in general. If the move takes place, as has been widely reported, there’s little doubt the company’s decision will have stemmed from the transcendent rise of undefeated Strikeforce champion Ronda Rousey.
However, fellow bantamweight Miesha Tate wants to make it clear her gender’s status in MMA is not the doing of any one individual but rather a collective of talented competitors.
“It’s not just Ronda, it’s not just myself, that’s for sure,” said Tate in an interview with MMAWeekly Radio. “I know Ronda’s getting a lot of the credit and what not, but she didn’t have a lot to do with from the ground up.”
“She’s getting a lot of the credit and the limelight, but people who follow the sport understand there was a lot more getting to this point. I hope people can recognize that and give all the women that have worked really hard some credit,” Tate continued, referring to the likes of Tara LaRosa, Marloes Coenen, and Gina Carano.
Tate, a former opponent of Rousey’s, didn’t go so far as to dismiss the judoka’s impact on the sport, giving her credit for the job she’s done both in and out of the ring. Then again, regardless of her level of respect for Rousey, Tate still wants to get her hands on her again at some point down the road to avenge losing last March in a heavily-hyped bout.
“I know a lot of people don’t believe that Ronda can’t be beaten, that’s she’s just untouchable, but I beg to differ. If I do get that rematch in the UFC, it’s going to be one hell of a fight,” Tate concluded on her rival.