Miesha TateBryan Caraway both describe their atypical relationship as a couple who also happen to be professional MMA fighters.
on Thursday. "She's fighting for a world title and we're still together and haven't killed each other yet," he said with a laugh.
When Tate challenges Marloes Coenen on Saturday for the title of best in the world at 135 pounds in women's MMA, Caraway, who is a cast member on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, will serve as her head cornerman for the fight.
So much has transpired since the two first met at Central Washington University less than six years ago. Caraway ran a college MMA club and Tate was a former high school wrestler pushed by her karate-practicing roommate to check out the club.
"I met Miesha when she was a freshman in college, [she] didn't know anything about mixed martial arts," Caraway said. "And I got to see her grow as a person and as a fighter and it's unbelievable to see her as a freshman in college to fighting for a world title now."
to be an entertaining war, Tate took the time to also show her appreciation for Caraway.
"Bryan and I have a really unique bond in that we share similar passion," Tate told the media at Harry Caray's. "There's pros and cons with every situation but I definitely think the pros outweigh the cons. He understands the process I'm going through, the weigh-cutting and he's there to support me through the thick and thin."
Despite some "trying" times, at the end of the day Caraway feels they have both benefited through their shared passion and common understanding of the high highs and low lows that come with this demanding sport.
"It definitely is me being the fighter myself understands what she's going through when she's cutting weight for a fight or dieting, the space that she needs, the extra bit of motivation to help her stay on track when she's dieting," he said. "I understand all that, the irritability and stuff. It makes sense for me to step back from the relationship and understand what she's going through and not to take things personally."
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Paul Daley listens on during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Scott Smith and Tarec Saffiedine pose for the cameras after the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Scott Smith and Tarec Saffiedine face off during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Paul Daley and Tyron Woodley pose for the cameras after the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Paul Daley exchange glances with Tyron Woodley during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Robbie Lawler and Tim Kennedy put their fists up during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Robbie Lawler stares in the eyes of Tim Kennedy during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson pose for the cameras after the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko faces off with Dan Henderson during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Tyron Woodley hangs out at the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko watches on during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Dan Henderson listens on during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Scott Coker ready to answer a reporter's question at the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Dan Henderson is asked a question during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Tim Kennedy looks into the crowd of reporters during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Miesha Tate listens to a question at the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Scott Smith watches the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko sits politely during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Fedor Emelianenko next to his translator during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Robbie Lawler dozes off during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Robbie Lawler rests his eyes during the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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Paul Daley in attendance at the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson pre-fight press conference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse in Chicago, Ill.
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