Miesha Tate is defending UFC 297’s co-main event in a series of powerful social media posts. The former UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion combated naysayers of Raquel Pennington’s title victory against Mayra Bueno Silva. The critics didn’t sway Tate, who expressed astonishment at the brilliance of the bantamweight title fight.
Tate took to Twitter to defend the co-main event: “Man you guys are a tough crowd that fight was way better than I had anticipated, Raquel had such a long layoff I thought it would take her longer to find her rhythm. Fight was busy and multiple sub attempts. Rocky almost KOd Mayra at one point. You all not paying attention #ufc297.” Not stopping there, she also refuted claims that the main event was more exciting, stating that the co-main was “much more dynamic and much closer to finishes multiple times.”
In addition to her UFC 297 commentary, Miesha Tate revisited her intense rivalry with Ronda Rousey in a recent interview with ESPN. Once serving as MMA’s heated conflict, their rivalry has since dissipated, allowing Tate to appreciate Rousey’s role in her career and the growth of the sport. “I look back at it with a lot of gratitude, if I can be honest. I’m so thankful that I had a rival like her because not everybody gets the opportunity to stand oppose somebody who can build a storyline alongside you.”
Further reflecting on her connection with Rousey, Tate expressed gratitude for the challenges and growth: “I can say that as my younger self, I definitely didn’t appreciate that as I do now, and I’m grateful to have had somebody to push me and to push the sport.” Overall, Tate sees the impact of Rousey not just on her own career, but also on the sport itself: “Ronda was a great adversary; she was what the sport really needed and she’s what I needed as well.”
