"This was another day in the office to them, but to me it's like, 'You just ruined my life,' and I feel like they need to understand that a little."
It sure doesn't sound like Miesha Tate has moved on from losing out on her ill-fated third title shot at UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
Speaking with ESPN's Brett Okamoto, Tate says her unwanted status as a gatekeeper has her questioning her future.
"[UFC president] Dana White will say I'm one fight away, and then in his next interview, he'll say I'm a couple fights away," Tate said. "I keep seeing different headlines come out, and I don't know what to think.
"I fear that they want me to fight all the other top girls, and the connotation is that if they beat me, they get a title, but if I beat them, it's 'bring on the next one.' Essentially, I feel like they have deemed me as a gatekeeper, and that's fine for a while because I put myself there. I won and lost those fights. But there has to be some light at the end of that tunnel. If there's not, what is my future in this sport?"
After Rousey announced on 'Good Morning America' that she would be fighting Holly Holm next, Tate was offered a fight with No. 3 ranked Amanda Nunes. Despite being goaded by the Brazilian, Tate says she turned it down.
"It's a very fine line," Tate said. "All I can say is I don't want it to go in that direction, but anything is a possibility. If it's clear there's no way for me to get a title shot as long as Ronda has the belt, then I don't know. I suppose I have to look at my options. And that's not saying I will retire, but it's something I'd have to think about."
"A company woman," even Tate admits she has her limits.
"I make myself as available as possible. But there comes a point when I cannot sacrifice what I believe in my heart to be right.
"I'm not saying the UFC is trying to bully me, but if they really want something and they get it in their head, that's all they want, and for me it's not that simple. When I don't feel right about something or if my heart's not into it, I'm not going to do it."
6 MUST-READ STORIES
Big. Nick Diaz in settlement talks with Nevada Athletic Commission, could fight as early as 2016.
'I really don't think that's anybody's business.' UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and her coach Edmond Tarverdyan deflect questions about her mother's negative comments.
'I think DC should just step up and take the fight.' Jon Jones' manager says Daniel Cormier will not dictate the terms of a rematch with the former champion.
Opponent TBD. Unimpressed with Jaideep Singh, Rizin officials are now looking for Plan B for Fedor Emelianenko's New Year's Eve return.
'That was a tough one.' Alexander Gustafsson talks moving on from his loss to Daniel Cormier at UFC 192. "It feels like I get one dimensional. I need to work more on how to be more unpredictable."
Bummer. GLORY kickboxing to no longer air on Spike TV. "We of course leave the door open to working with Spike again, but for right now, the fit isn't perfect."
MEDIA STEW
UFC 193: Extended Preview.
Donald Cerrone training with NBA player Blake Griffin.
Donald Cerrone training in Las Vegas and rolling with Miesha Tate.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk doing some sparring.
Be careful with this sledge hammer workout from Sage Northcutt.
Pretty good Conor McGregor impression.
Long watches.
UFC 193: Ronda Rousey Media Day Scrum
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Edmond Tarverdyan UFC 193 media day scrum
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TWEETS
Promising.
Just spoke with my legal team at Campbell & Williams and talks with the NV athletic commission are... https://t.co/MuX8PsaFS3
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) October 28, 2015
Beef.
Aldo is going to beat his ass. Connor is about as worthless as tits on a boar https://t.co/RywgD8aeWI
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) October 27, 2015
Daymm i hope this is true @rosenamajunas gonna shut down the hype train hard!! #ThugRose #UFC https://t.co/noVAnhfCzy
— 'Rowdy' Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) October 28, 2015
Buds.
A little pre-debate prep with former #UFC Light Heavyweight Champ @vitorbelfort and team. Great sparring partner! pic.twitter.com/IZJSAC1M3M
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) October 27, 2015
Busy.
Media day after sparring this afternoon at teamgfc for #UFC193 #rouseyVSholm #ufcMelbourne #Nov14th... https://t.co/axqVR8S6CL
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) October 28, 2015
#ThisSnakeDontBite
Thanks @amadeonts for letting me throw some heavy ass weight around with these animals.... https://t.co/abxsHbXJVK
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) October 28, 2015
OK.
Turn pain into greatness
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 27, 2015
Any interest?
I Want this fight! @smilensam @danawhite @ufc pic.twitter.com/aus6kSVHFE
— Vitor Miranda (@Vithai) October 27, 2015
I see Rafael Carvalho wants to dip into the @GLORY_WS ring. I'd welcome that fight in the ring and/or the @BellatorMMA cage! #StandNBang
— Dustin Jacoby (@dustinjacobyDJ) October 28, 2015
Brave.
There comes a time when you have to crack a #UFC legend in the forehead with a bag of bread #iowastyle #patmiletich pic.twitter.com/rNfmNAPfqP
— Mike Ciesnolevicz (@MikeCies) October 27, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 27 2015)
LaRue Burley vs. Joe Condon at WSOF 25
Benny Madrid vs. Ramil Mustapayev at WSOF 25
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.