marcelt
18-04-2011, 20:20
Miesha Tate is Fighting for the Future
(http://www.strikeforce.com/news/2011/04/miesha-tate-is-fighting-for-the-future/)by Strikeforce (http://www.strikeforce.com/author/mengchenmike/) | April 17, 2011
http://www.strikeforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/004_miesha_tate-199x300.jpg (http://www.strikeforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/004_miesha_tate.jpg)Who is the face of women’s MMA? Many would say STRIKEFORCE Women’s Middleweight Champion Cris “Cyborg” fits the bill. Others would say that Gina Carano still has a claim to that spot, while still others would throw out the name of STRIKEFORCE Women’s Welterweight Champion Marloes Coenen (http://strikeforce.com/fighters/women-middleweights/marloes-coenen/).
Yet, there is another name that, before it’s all said and done, may eclipse all others amongst female fighters. Miesha Tate (http://strikeforce.com/fighters/women-welterweights/miesha-tate/) has the model-like good looks and devastating combat skills to one day be the top women’s star in the sport. I spoke with the title contender recently about her injury recovery, thoughts on the current and future state of women’s MMA, and a possible summer bout with Coenen.
Johnny Preston: First off, how’s the knee coming along? You stated in a recent interview that you could be ready to go as early as July…is that the case?
Miesha Tate (http://strikeforce.com/fighters/women-welterweights/miesha-tate/): Honestly, it could be earlier than that. It’s April now, and I think by the end of May that I could be ready. Reasonably, with a six-week training camp now, I could be ready by the end of May. As far as the injury itself, I’m completely done with therapy on my knee. This is my third week of normal training, and other than being stiff and sore, I think my knee is fine.
JP: With the recent purchase of STRIKEFORCE by the parent company of the UFC, what are your thoughts on the future of women’s MMA?
MT: Well, I was happy to hear that Scott Coker did a story the other day reiterating STRIKEFORCE’s commitment to women’s MMA, that it isn’t going anywhere, and that’s it really is going to continue to be business as usual. I don’t feel like there’s going to be a big adjustment phase anytime soon. I figure it’s going to be as it has been, and I’m very happy about that. I don’t know what will happen a couple years from now…I can’t really predict that. But as far as the future is and I’m concerned, I think everything’s just fine.
JP: Your next fight is supposed to be a title shot against STRIKEFORCE Women’s Welterweight Champion Marloes Coenen (http://strikeforce.com/fighters/women-middleweights/marloes-coenen/). Is that officially going to be your next bout?
MT: As far as I know, that’s what the plan is. I’m still the number-one contender. Due to the injury, I lost the shot at that time. But I didn’t lose all the work I put in to get that number-one slot, and STRIKEFORCE has done a great job of working with me through that. So I don’t see any reason I wouldn’t be fighting for the title next.
JP: Coenen is coming off impressive come-from-behind submission win over Liz Carmouche, who replaced you due to that injury. What were your thoughts on the fight?
MT: As far as the fight goes, I thought it was a little lackluster. I felt it definitely wasn’t one of Marloes’ best fights, but I understand that as fighters, we all have our off-days, and that one of her off-days. I know that she’s better than what I saw that night because I’ve seen her fight a lot better than that. I can only expect that when she comes prepared to fight me that we’re going to see the best Marloes we’ve seen yet.
JP: You possess some really solid all-around skills. Where do you feel you have the edge over the champion?
MT: I think pretty much anywhere out of her striking range. That’s where she has her best odds. I’m not saying I’m afraid to stand with her, but let’s be logical. Everyone has places where they match up better or not as good, and I definitely don’t think I match up as well on my feet as I do if I’m grabbing a hold of her, or we’re anywhere on the ground. When I get to the ground, that’s where I feel I’ll have the most strength.
JP: How do you see the fight with Coenen going? How do you predict it will end?
MT: Honestly, I think that once I get that takedown that it’s going to be my playing field entirely. Whether it be a TKO or a submission victory, that’s how I see the fight ending. I feel it’ll be in the first round, but I’ll be prepared to go all five [rounds].
N.b. Erg mooi buikje!
(http://www.strikeforce.com/news/2011/04/miesha-tate-is-fighting-for-the-future/)by Strikeforce (http://www.strikeforce.com/author/mengchenmike/) | April 17, 2011
http://www.strikeforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/004_miesha_tate-199x300.jpg (http://www.strikeforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/004_miesha_tate.jpg)Who is the face of women’s MMA? Many would say STRIKEFORCE Women’s Middleweight Champion Cris “Cyborg” fits the bill. Others would say that Gina Carano still has a claim to that spot, while still others would throw out the name of STRIKEFORCE Women’s Welterweight Champion Marloes Coenen (http://strikeforce.com/fighters/women-middleweights/marloes-coenen/).
Yet, there is another name that, before it’s all said and done, may eclipse all others amongst female fighters. Miesha Tate (http://strikeforce.com/fighters/women-welterweights/miesha-tate/) has the model-like good looks and devastating combat skills to one day be the top women’s star in the sport. I spoke with the title contender recently about her injury recovery, thoughts on the current and future state of women’s MMA, and a possible summer bout with Coenen.
Johnny Preston: First off, how’s the knee coming along? You stated in a recent interview that you could be ready to go as early as July…is that the case?
Miesha Tate (http://strikeforce.com/fighters/women-welterweights/miesha-tate/): Honestly, it could be earlier than that. It’s April now, and I think by the end of May that I could be ready. Reasonably, with a six-week training camp now, I could be ready by the end of May. As far as the injury itself, I’m completely done with therapy on my knee. This is my third week of normal training, and other than being stiff and sore, I think my knee is fine.
JP: With the recent purchase of STRIKEFORCE by the parent company of the UFC, what are your thoughts on the future of women’s MMA?
MT: Well, I was happy to hear that Scott Coker did a story the other day reiterating STRIKEFORCE’s commitment to women’s MMA, that it isn’t going anywhere, and that’s it really is going to continue to be business as usual. I don’t feel like there’s going to be a big adjustment phase anytime soon. I figure it’s going to be as it has been, and I’m very happy about that. I don’t know what will happen a couple years from now…I can’t really predict that. But as far as the future is and I’m concerned, I think everything’s just fine.
JP: Your next fight is supposed to be a title shot against STRIKEFORCE Women’s Welterweight Champion Marloes Coenen (http://strikeforce.com/fighters/women-middleweights/marloes-coenen/). Is that officially going to be your next bout?
MT: As far as I know, that’s what the plan is. I’m still the number-one contender. Due to the injury, I lost the shot at that time. But I didn’t lose all the work I put in to get that number-one slot, and STRIKEFORCE has done a great job of working with me through that. So I don’t see any reason I wouldn’t be fighting for the title next.
JP: Coenen is coming off impressive come-from-behind submission win over Liz Carmouche, who replaced you due to that injury. What were your thoughts on the fight?
MT: As far as the fight goes, I thought it was a little lackluster. I felt it definitely wasn’t one of Marloes’ best fights, but I understand that as fighters, we all have our off-days, and that one of her off-days. I know that she’s better than what I saw that night because I’ve seen her fight a lot better than that. I can only expect that when she comes prepared to fight me that we’re going to see the best Marloes we’ve seen yet.
JP: You possess some really solid all-around skills. Where do you feel you have the edge over the champion?
MT: I think pretty much anywhere out of her striking range. That’s where she has her best odds. I’m not saying I’m afraid to stand with her, but let’s be logical. Everyone has places where they match up better or not as good, and I definitely don’t think I match up as well on my feet as I do if I’m grabbing a hold of her, or we’re anywhere on the ground. When I get to the ground, that’s where I feel I’ll have the most strength.
JP: How do you see the fight with Coenen going? How do you predict it will end?
MT: Honestly, I think that once I get that takedown that it’s going to be my playing field entirely. Whether it be a TKO or a submission victory, that’s how I see the fight ending. I feel it’ll be in the first round, but I’ll be prepared to go all five [rounds].
N.b. Erg mooi buikje!