Jessica Eye on Miesha Tate: ‘She’s Like an Easy Equation for Me’

When fifth-ranked women’s bantamweight Jessica Eye meets second-ranked Miesha Tate inside the Octagon at UFC on Fox 16 in Chicago on Saturday, a title fight could be waiting for the winner.

Eye debuted in the UFC with a split decision win over former Strikeforce titleholder Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166 in October 2013. The fight was later ruled a No Contest after Eye tested positive for marijuana following the fight. In her second UFC outing, Eye lost a razor-close split decision to Alexis Davis at UFC 170.

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The 28-year-old Ohio native rebounded from her rocky UFC start by defeating Leslie Smith by technical knockout at UFC 180 in November. With the four ladies ranked in front of her having lost to champion Ronda Rousey, Eye believes that if she upsets Tate, she’ll be next in line for a crack at the belt.

“When I win this fight, I’ll have my opportunity to put real gold around my waist,” said Eye during a media scrum interview on Thursday.

Tate is no easy fight, though. She’s only lost to Rousey and Cat Zingano over the last six years. She’s tenacious and durable, but Eye sees Tate as just another obstacle in her way.

“Miesha’s strengths are her abilities to fight well under a big crowd. She’s been there, just like I have before. She possesses no crazy ability that I don’t see that there’s a solution to. She’s like an easy equation for me. One plus one is two,” she said. “I see that we’re both tough females, but I see myself much more diverse and sharper skilled.”