Ronda Rousey surprised fans and pundits on Friday morning with her announcement that she would be facing Holly Holm at UFC 195. Oh, and Miesha Tate's camp? They were surprised, too.
Ronda Rousey's next title defense to come against Holly Holm on Jan. 2. Rousey announces on Good Morning America.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 21, 2015
Speaking with MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani, Tate's manager Josh Jones was flabbergasted and frustrated by the sudden change to the women's bantamweight title picture. "I'm absolutely shocked," he said. "I found out just like you did. Very disappointed to hear the news."
You can't blame him, of course. UFC President Dana White seemed to be all-in on another title shot for Cupcake following her UFC on Fox 16 win over Jessica Eye. At the event's post-fight press conference (Warning, NSFW Language), he repeatedly indicated that Tate would face Rousey following her UFC 190 fight with Bethe Correia and said, "she has worked her way back to Ronda Rousey."
While there was initially some debate over Tate's legitimacy as a contender after being dealt two devastating armbar losses from Rousey, the former Strikeforce champ's body of work is strong enough (and the rest of the division is weak enough) to deserve being next in line. Not only that, but recent improvements in her striking game opened up discussion as to whether or not Tate could actually give Rousey the first competitive fight of her career.
The UFC, however, is opting to go with Holm. A former boxing champion and gifted athlete, the Jackson-Winkeljohn fighter is a unique stylistic matchup for Rousey. However, her lack of UFC experience (she has fought just twice in the promotion) has many questioning whether or not a potentially compelling challenger is being rushed into facing a fearsome champion before she is ready.
Regardless of the rationale, however, Jones is displeased. "I want to know the reasons behind [the decision]," he said. "To not even be given a heads-up is very disappointing. She doesn't even know yet. She is going to be absolutely shocked."
Rousey vs. Holm will likely headline UFC 195 on January 2. What does the future have in store for Tate? That's anyone's guess.
