Sara McMann: I really don’t understand Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate 3

NASHVILLE – Onetime UFC title challenger Sara McMann has faced Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate, and her take on the gap between them is blunt.

“I’ve trained for and fought both of them, and I watched the video,” McMann (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) on Thursday told MMAjunkie ahead of of her fight with Amanda Nunes (10-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 73. “I don’t think that Miesha is the same level as Ronda.”

And yet, MMA fans are soon to witness a third meeting between the pair, who fought twice with dominant, arm-bending wins from champ Rousey on both occasions. After another first-round railroading at this past Saturday’s UFC 190, Rousey will square off with her rival, who worked her way back into the title picture in part by beating McMann.

McMann served as Rousey’s ninth professional victory and the third defense of her title, a result which McMann sees as controversial due to a quick TKO stoppage in the first round. It’s that loss she wants to avenge first before taking on Tate again.

First, though, she’ll need to beat Nunes on the FOX Sports 1-televised main card of Saturday’s event at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. While she understands the reasoning behind Rousey vs. Tate 3, she can’t say she doesn’t see better options.

“I really don’t understand a third fight between them, beside the fact that Miesha’s won some fights in a row and she’s very marketable. Just being honest, what do you say? ‘We sure hope she doesn’t get armbarred again?’”

For more on UFC Fight Night 73, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.