Tate: Ronda went to 135 when Cyborg talk got serious
Miesha Tate: “It seemed like when the talks with Cyborg became serious, it was like, ‘No, I’m dropping to 135.’ And granted, she is the champion, but so is Cyborg.”
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Miesha Tate appeared recently on UFC Tonight, and discussed Invicat FC feathewrweight champion Cris ‘Cyborg’ Santos dropping to 140 for a catchweight bout, on the way to 135.
“I would love to fight Cris, because it would be just an amazing opportunity to step in with someone who is as accomplished as her. I always love to challenge myself. I always love the tough fights.
“However, I believe that fight at 140 is going to be happening under the Invicta FC banner, and not the UFC banner. So I think I am correct in assuming that, and therefore am not planning on fighting for Invicta anytime soon. But if it was to happen in the UFC, then I’m your girl.”
Co-host Kenny Florian then asked what Tate thought UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey should do. ‘Rowdy’ has been adamant that the challenger has to come to the champs weight – 135 or nothing.
“Well, I just know that from (Rousey’s) whole career it was just 145, and 145 only at the beginning,” said Tate. “It seemed like when the talks with ‘Cyborg’ became serious, it was like, ‘No, I’m dropping to 135.’ And granted, she is the champion, but so is ‘Cyborg.’
“They’re both dominant champions. When you have two people who are dominant champions, one weight class apart, to me it makes sense to meet in the middle … If Cyborg was not a champion, then yes, you need to come to the champion. But she is a champion also, so I think meeting in the middle makes sense.”
Florian responded.
“Fair enough,” he said.
