Miesha Tate: UFC Bantamweight Fighter Claims Jessica Eye Is ‘Final Step’ Before Trilogy Fight With Ronda Rousey

Since 2013, Ronda Rousey has been an unrelenting force in the women’s bantamweight division in UFC ever since the promotion absorbed in Strikeforce. With a 5-0-0 record in UFC and an 11-0-0 overall – generally with first round finishes – it is no wonder why Rolling Stone has dubbed Rousey the “most dangerous woman living in the world.” However, with such fame and popularity, it is only natural that Rousey would have some enemies. This includes Cris Cyborg and Bethe Correia, two women whom Rousey returns the hatred for. Yet, the one enemy Rousey has fought numerous times is Miesha Tate. Their rivalry is historic in MMA going back three years ago when they first fought in Strikeforce.

Now, it seems Miesha Tate wants to bring her rivalry against Ronda Rousey to a finale. Tate believes defeating Jessica Eye in their upcoming fight is the “final step” for what she’s been wanting: a trilogy fight between her and “Rowdy.”

According to MMA Mania, Miesha Tate made the aforementioned known, talking about her upcoming fight against Jessica Eye at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Barao II in an interview. “Cupcake” claims a win over “Evil” is imperative for her trilogy fight against Ronda Rousey.

“This is definitely an important fight. The next fight is always the most important, but this one is really the final step in the right direction before I get another fight with Ronda. I mean, it’s a girl I’ve never fought before. She’s up and coming, but she’s good. She’s well rounded. She has good striking. Stylistically I like the match up. I feel very confident about it. I feel really good going into the fight. I realize at this point in my career there are no easy fights. You know what I mean? I know it is going to be a tough one, but like you said, it is important and I want to go out there and get a finish.”

Also, the possibility Miesha Tate’s trilogy match against Ronda Rousey not being a UFC women’s bantamweight championship isn’t even considered a possibility to Tate. According to Latin Post, Tate believes Bethe Correia has “bitten off more than she can chew” taking on Rousey this early in her career.

“I think Bethe is in over her head. This fight is too early in her career. She has yet to fight anyone in top 10. It’s a deep pool and Ronda’s the queen of the division. It’s a big step up for Bethe.”

And to be fair, if anyone is able to defeat Ronda Rousey in the Octagon simply by past experience, it has to be Miesha Tate. “Cupcake” is the only one to take Rousey past the first round which happened in their second fight. Not only that, Tate has successfully escaped Rousey’s armbar numerous times too. All it would take is that one significant opening for Tate to become the one, as in the one who gives Rousey her first defeat (unless Bethe Correia does it first).

Nevertheless, we’ll find out if Miesha Tate can secure her trilogy match against Rousey. In order to do so, she’ll first have to defeat Jessica Eye at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Barao II this coming Saturday on July 25, 2015.

[Image via Ethan Miller/Getty]