Miesha Tate isn't a believer in "MMA math."
Where Ronda Ronda famously failed against Holly Holm at UFC 193, Tate plans to prove the old adage that styles make fights.
With Rousey on the shelf until November, Tate gets another crack at the UFC women's bantamweight title March 5 at UFC 196 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"I think Ronda went into that fight with Holly thinking, 'If I don't finish this girl in under two minutes, I'm already a failure,' and she went in there with such desperation to get a quick finish," Tate told FOX Sports. "She had 25 minutes to get that fight to the ground and submit Holly. I think Ronda is capable of that, but I think she mentally beat herself up after not being able to do that in the first round. Hey it's OK, you have 20 more minutes, like, relax for a second.
"She just went out there like a charging bull in a china shop and she allowed Holly to play the perfect game plan. Holly was the matador, Ronda was the bull. The bull fell victim."
Tate says she plans to drag Holm into deep water by using the championship rounds to her advantage. Tate's toughness got her into a third round with Rousey, lasting longer than any of "Rowdy's" ten other opponents.
Holm, Rousey and UFC president Dana White are all banking on a fall rematch that could be "the biggest fight in UFC history," but Tate looks to play spoiler.
"I think they're going to regret the decision after the fact," Tate said of UFC making the booking with Holm. "Like, 'Man, we really wanted to step up, we wanted to prove that we're the best in the world as champion,' but I'm going to spoil those plans.
"They know this is a huge step up in competition. They know that stylistically, I think everyone believes that I'm a more challenging style for Holly. I present different problems."
Tate challenges Holm March 5 at UFC 196: Dos Anjos vs. McGregor in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
'I've been in agony for almost a month.' CM Punk underwent back surgery on Wednesday, delaying his UFC debut.
'Nobody seems to be doing it.' Eddie Alvarez believes "there's a simple way to win against" Conor McGregor, but that Rafael dos Anjos could get knocked out.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses Stephen Thompson's big win, Jon Jones' traffic issues, USADA and Bellator in this week's live chat.
Everyone loves Wandy. Bellator CEO Scott Coker says both Bellator and Japanese promotion Rizin are interested in signing Wanderlei Silva.
Company man. Michael Chandler goes off on Bellator champ Will Brooks, says he's the "epitome of a bad employee."
MEDIA STEW
UFC Fight Night Rewind.
Dominick Cruz says inexperienced fighters are ruining weight-cutting for everyone and that USADA is in it for the money.
Suga Rashad's Slow Jamz.
Max Holloway wants to fight Jose Aldo in Hawaii.
Robert Garcia might start training Nick Diaz.
TTTHS.
Long watches.
If I Did It: Driving with Jon Jones, Yoel Romero's drug test, Bernie Bernie Bernie
...
KNUCKLE UP [FINALLY] #329 + The Big Steaming Pile of Hendricks v. Thompson Plus Why McG Is So Rich
...
Chael Sonnen's 'You're Welcome' with Nik Lentz and Ken Shamrock
TWEETS
Get well soon.
— Coach (@CMPunk) February 10, 2016
I did my first mountain run since the fight today. My foot is pretty banged up still, Felt good to get up there ... https://t.co/gF4qII6a7k
— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) February 11, 2016
Still on.
Guys. It's all good. The fight is still on. Minor surgery. I wish @CMPunk a healthy & speedy recovery. I want you at 100%, check that, #200
— Mickey Gall (@mickeygall) February 10, 2016
Back in town.
#TeamAKA today.. Great having @TeamKhabib , his brother Murat, @RicoVerhoeven & his coaches in this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/uEhZSdoQvg
— AKA HQ (@AKA_HQ) February 10, 2016
Working kicks.
A few kicks with coach Wink #CompeteHarder 73 days to make it better
Posted by Jon "Bones" Jones on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Interested?
Me and Big Country would be a good fun fight for the fans.It wouldn't be a track meet #ijustwanttobangbroNohomo #ufc
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) February 10, 2016
FIGHT FANS @ufc #ufc197 @Thebeast_ufc vs @roynelsonmma @MMAjunkie @arielhelwani @mmamania #ask&received @danawhite pic.twitter.com/O1ioyG6DkL
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) February 11, 2016
If I can't get Roy Nelson feed me that other Poland guy name Daniel
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) February 11, 2016
Can't wait till I get an opponent! Who do you wanna see me fight??
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) February 9, 2016
How about me? Let's do this fight on #UFCRotterdam !!! Bring it on @seanshelby https://t.co/Ekx1bEijap
— KarolinaKowalkiewicz (@KarolinaMMA) February 10, 2016
Camping.
Training today with GLORY Kickboxing Heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven The training was great but it also sucked...
Posted by Daniel Cormier on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Gotta be trolling.
I AM COMING @JoshLBarnett THE PACT IS OVER
— MAYHEM MILLER IND. (@mayhemmiller) February 11, 2016
Jason "Mayhem" Miller comes out of retirement to fight Josh Barnett in I... https://t.co/8BX1GrJ7fS via YouTube
— MAYHEM MILLER IND. (@mayhemmiller) February 11, 2016
Goodnight.
Goodnight everyone pic.twitter.com/X2eWqhRSig
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) February 11, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Feb. 10 2016)
Rin Nakai vs. Leslie Smith at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir
Ben Nguyen vs. Justin Scoggins at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir
Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.