Miesha Tate was passed over for a third fight against Ronda Rousey by Holly Holm, and the interest Holm’s manager had in Tate for an interim title defense against Tate was rejected by Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White this week.

The UFC’s No. 1 bantamweight contender has reason to take things personally, but following a meeting this week with UFC officials, she told The Times on Thursday, “I’m OK, I feel things are on the upswing again.

“Was a little bit frustrated there for a moment, but I think the way I get through things like that is to put one foot in front of the other and keep chucking forward as long as I have to. I know it’s up from here.

“I believe I will get my title shot eventually.”


Tate (17-5) has been sidelined since defeating Jessica Eye on July 25, after White and his staff surprisingly selected Holm as Rousey’s Nov. 14 opponent rather than create a third Rousey-Tate bout.

Tate has lost both Rousey fights, but has won four straight bouts since her late 2013 defeat, when she was the only woman to take the then-unbeaten Rousey to a third round. Then, Holm produced her stunning second-round knockout victory in Australia.

Holm’s manager, Lenny Fresquez, told The Times this week that he doesn’t believe Rousey, after the “severe beating,” will be ready to fight Holm on July 9 in the new Las Vegas arena.

Holm has received a UFC proposal for the Rousey fight, Fresquez said, but the manager has pressed for an interim fight with Tate before the anticipated rematch.


Tate praised Holm (10-0) and her camp for that position.

“I really respect her manager’s opinion, and I have the most respect for Holly and her camp to want to stay hungry even though she’s at the top of the food chain,” Tate said. “That’s important for a champion.

“Putting her on ice could be a little bit detrimental. She’s used to staying active. I’d like to be active, too. I would love the fight, so nothing but positivity from me toward her camp.”

Tate speculated that Rousey will be at a disadvantage trying to return so soon for a rematch.


“Ronda is going to need more time than that amount of time,” Tate said. “Even if she is going to be back in the gym, I know she’s not going to be able to have contact yet and still has a couple movies to film, which will draw her away from her time toward training.

“Holly already knows she’s fighting Ronda, so she gets all that time – plus, she’s healthy – to solidify the game plan even more if there’s something to improve on -- all the little details she can work out -- while Ronda is distracted a little bit.”

Should Rousey and the UFC decide to push Holm-Rousey to later in 2016, Tate said she’d be ready to be inserted into the UFC 200 card in July.

“I won’t let that opportunity slip through my fingers if that’s what happens,” Tate said. “I’ll be there. I’m ready for anything.”


White told The Times that Tate is likely going to next fight Cat Zingano, Julianna Pena or Amanda Nunes, although Tate said she would also prefer Brazilian Bethe Correia, who has engaged the top contender in a Twitter war.

“I really just want to punch her in her mouth,” Tate said of Correia. “I’m tired of her talking, and it honestly would be a grudge match. She’s been nothing but disrespectful to the sport and I would love to clean her out of the UFC. I want her to be 0-2 in her last two fights. I’d like to see her get cut, and I don’t want to see her face anymore.”

Tate coached Pena previously on the reality television series “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Tate informed the UFC she needs only eight weeks to be ready for a fight.


“I’ll stay ready because I’m eager, and being the UFC champion has been a goal of mine for a long time,” Tate said. “That’s my dream.”

Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter @latimespugmire

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