Miesha Tate is still enjoying her media tour as the UFC’s female bantamweight champion. With her title belt on display, she sat down with ESPN’s Hannah Storm and said a third fight with Ronda Rousey “needs to happen.”
“I’m not in this for a participation ribbon. I want to be a champion,” Tate said.
MORE: Sports photos from March 21-27 | Tate defeats Holm for title
Rousey, who last fought in November when she was knocked out by Holly Holm, is expected to return to the cage in November.
“I know she’s eating apples again, so that’s definitely a step in the right direction,” Tate said, possibly making light of the powerful left foot Holm landed on Rousey's face.
#TBT Holly Holm shocks the world, dethrones Ronda Rousey with vicious head kick knockout. #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/AuEZA83X0s
— #UFCZagreb (@Its__Qasim) March 4, 2016
Tate’s lack of sympathy for Rousey is nothing new. The two fighters have never shared a positive relationship, especially after Rousey rejected Tate’s outstretched hand following their UFC 168 bout in 2013.
Miesha Tate offered a handshake to Ronda Rousey after the fight and Rousey wanted no part of it. #UFC168 pic.twitter.com/5ac5Dqi6Yu
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 29, 2013
“I don’t feel like I’m missing anything in my life by not being friends with her,” Tate said. “Me extending my hand is no indication that I like her on a personal level, but I respect her as an athlete and I always will.”
Though Tate has lost twice to Rousey, her win over Holm in UFC 196 seems to have reassured her she can exorcize the demons and hand Rousey just her second career loss when they meet again.
“I think anyone can beat anyone on any given day,” Tate said. “I don’t think she’s this invincible woman that a lot of people made her out to be, I’ve been saying that since Day 1. Now we’ve all seen it. I’m looking forward to that — it needs to happen.”