Following her win over Jessica Eye at UFC on FOX 16 in July, Miesha Tate was awarded a third shot at women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey by UFC president Dana White.
Tate lost her Strikeforce title to the up-and-coming Rousey in 2012. Now a UFC champion, Rousey defended her strap to Tate in the rematch at UFC 168 the following december. Both instances ended with Rousey submitting Tate with her signature armbar.
Sometime between July and Aug. 21, UFC brass had a change of heart. That Friday, Rousey appeared on Good Morning America to announce she'd be facing Holly Holm next, leaving Tate the odd woman out.
Cornering her teammate Cindy Dandois Saturday night at Invicta FC 14, Tate opened up about losing the ultimate game of musical chairs.
"Well, I found out later than half the world because I was asleep when it was announced," Tate told Invicta correspondent Laura Sanko. "I woke up to about 30 texts on my phone saying, 'Oh, I'm really sorry' and I was just like, 'What?' It just kind of sucked not finding out from the promotion, itself, so I felt a little bit disappointed. My feelings were kind of hurt, to be honest. I was really bummed out because I was really motivated."
There are a few different versions of why Tate was removed from the bout depending on when you spoke with White.
On Aug. 21, White told the Los Angeles Times that the UFC made the switch because "everyone's already seen that fight."
"We were talking about Miesha from the start, then as we started sitting around we were saying, ‘Everyone has seen the Miesha fight already,'" White said. "A third fight in a rivalry usually comes after the stuff we'd see in [Arturo] Gatti-[Micky] Ward. With Miesha, the result has been the same twice. Everyone's already seen that fight."
On Sept. 9, White told UFC Tonight that the promotion was doing Tate a favor by saving her career from catastrophe.
"Miesha, at this point in her career, if she loses to Ronda Rousey a third time, it's a career killer."
After being penciled in to face Rousey, Tate says she was heart-broken by the news.
"I really felt like I had hit a new level," said Tate. "I was training for [Rousey] already. I didn't take any time off after my fight and it just really kind of shot me in the heart. Damn. I thought that was what I was going to get. The world thought that was what I was going to get. It was a pretty heart-breaking process for me so I'm not exactly sure what's next."
Fresh off a first-round submission win over Sara McMann in August, No. 4 ranked Amanda Nunes is hoping to fill that void. Nunes has been vocal on Twitter, goading Tate into signing on the line.
Let's do this @MieshaTate @seanshelby @danawhite @ufc
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) August 22, 2015
(Nunes vs Tate) let's make this happen @MieshaTate @seanshelby @danawhite @ufc
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) August 22, 2015
Hi @MieshaTate I'm still waiting @seanshelby
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) August 26, 2015
According to Tate, she hasn't had any discussions with the UFC about facing Nunes.
"No, definitely not," Tate said. "I haven't talked to the UFC or my coaches or my management about it so it's always a team decision.
"I've heard a lot of things bouncing around. I was on vacation in the Bahamas and said, 'I just need to put the world away for a minute.' I kind of put everything on silent. I got back and I've been focused on Cindy. As far as what's next I really don't know. I've got to get home and take a deep breath and talk to my management and coaches."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
It's time. Cris Cyborg will drop to 140 pounds for next Invicta FC event in November.
'I had to educate him about business.' Urijah Faber says UFC interim featherweight champion Conor McGregor in a suit and tie is like "a poser wearing Tapout."
'It's almost like some One World Order thing.' Bellator's Emanuel Newton says Reebok's uniform kits make UFC fighters look like they're "part of a cult."
'It's on my mind every day.' Holly Holm believes facing Ronda Rousey sooner "can be a lot better" than waiting four months.
'Separating the blessings from the curses.' Former UFC fighter Troy Mandaloniz survives a ladder fall, but is now faced with a new reality.
MEDIA STEW
Highlights from Legacy 45.
Floyd Mayweather doesn't want to talk about Ronda Rousey.
Nice promo for Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold.
The movie experts/nerds weigh in on Ronda in Road House.
Marcelo Garcia rolling with Keenan Cornelius at Studio 540.
Free fight: Tyrone Spong vs. Michael Duut.
Long watches.
KNUCKLE UP #349: What Happens When Bad Fights Happen to Good People
...
Submission Radio #65 Chael Sonnen, Andrei Arlovski, Kirik Jenness + Is Fedor too Old?
...
TWEETS
Get some rest.
We are headed home. Excited to sleep in my bed instead of a chair for the 1st time in 3 days. zero sleep. #blessed pic.twitter.com/C3OACUvZZL
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) September 13, 2015
Congrats.
Parabens to my friend @pedrorizzo1 in winning his retirement fight last night. Pedro Rizzo is one of the HWT divisions finest. Muito Bon!
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) September 13, 2015
Blessed. 4x. pic.twitter.com/oYzAk8jvzx
— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) September 13, 2015
Congratulations to these 3 Fine Gentlemen @eddie_wolverine @garrytonon @gordonlovesjiujitsu on there huge wins.... http://t.co/7mnab5hTMm
— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) September 13, 2015
Happy holidays.
Raiders! https://t.co/ftMMdlVmhb
— Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) September 13, 2015
Let's goo @Saints !!! I'm ready for some football!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 13, 2015
That's what I'm talkin bout @Seahawks!!! #GoHawks #Touchdown #SEAvsSTL
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) September 13, 2015
LETS GO G-MEN!!!! Can't let those Jets win and we don't!! #BIGBLUE #Giants
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) September 14, 2015
Good luck to @Panthers in the season opener today! It's time!
— justin scoggins (@ScogginsFlow) September 13, 2015
Packers
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) September 13, 2015
Lets go offense let's score some points @HoustonTexans
— kendallgrovemma (@kendallgrovemma) September 13, 2015
That's right @Chargers way to come back strong and close it out #sandiegochargers #BoltUp
— Robbie Peralta (@PeraltaMMA) September 13, 2015
GAMEDAY!!!!! #webarktogether pic.twitter.com/dW1neNDoOH
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) September 13, 2015
Eagle has landed.
You can guess where this was https://t.co/aN1vF58Maw
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) September 13, 2015
My team here #nsac time @ Embassy Suites by Hilton Convention Center Las Vegas https://t.co/WAMZE4sLjo
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) September 14, 2015
#vegas #glory late night https://t.co/BtO7AvFQVX
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) September 14, 2015
Matchmaking.
Any1 down 2 scrap in Dec @timboetsch @ChrisCamozzi @thalesleites.No disrespect trying 2 stay busy & every1 else is booked @danawhite @ufc
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 12, 2015
I'm down for a fight with #14 @jucao also. December sounds good @ufc @danawhite
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) September 13, 2015
Surprising.
SHE RETIRED!?!?!? *shock* - Former Strawweight Champ Katja Kankaanpaa Retires After Loss at Invicta FC 14 http://t.co/UMYqXn4siA
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) September 13, 2015
Down under.
Heading to Melbourne, Australia right now for the @RondaRousey vs @holyholm press conf !! @ufc pic.twitter.com/j7S8XK8hIi
— Dana White (@danawhite) September 14, 2015
Get well soon.
Not sure yet. Still healing up a bit https://t.co/1sy6rXsN2Z
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) September 14, 2015
Underwater Dance Party begin!!! Haha *dorks* #UnderWaterDanceParty #rebootfitnessretreats @ashleemma1 https://t.co/0lACQTQcii
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) September 14, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Sept. 11-13 2015)
Mirsad Bektic vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale
Joby Sanchez vs. Justin Scoggins at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale
Kevin Casey vs. Antonio Carlos Junior at UFC Fight Night 80
Omari Akhmedov vs. Lyman Good at UFC Fight Night 80
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Konstantin Erokhin at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale
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.