At the end of the year, MMA fans will finally get something they’ve wanted for years: to see Cris Cyborg fight one of the best 135-pound women on the planet. Cyborg will put her women’s 145-pound title against former bantamweight champion Holly Holm, and though Holm is the most accomplished fighter Cyborg will have ever faced, most people seem to think the bout is a foregone conclusion with Cyborg already a heavy betting favorite over “The Preacher’s Daughter.” But according to the woman who dethroned Holm as bantamweight champion, “most people” have it wrong.
Speaking recently with MMA Tonight on SiriusXM Rush, former UFC 135=pound champion Miesha Tate said that she believes Holly Holm is the fighter best suited to taking out the seemingly unstoppable Cyborg.
“Of anybody that I can think to fight Cyborg to right now, that has the best chance, I honestly, truly believe that it is Holly,” said Tate.
“The reason I say that is, if Cyborg can’t get ahold of Holly, if she recklessly chases her down - similar to how Ronda did, not using the correct angles - if she follows her like a missile - which she does in every fight I’ve ever seen before, that’s how she hunts girls down because she can - with holly, that’s not a good idea. She can cut through those angles. She’s an amazing counter striker and if she lands that head kick, I think she can put anybody away. So stylistically, this makes for a really, really interesting fight.”
Two years ago, Holm was set to face another seemingly invincible fighter only to defy the odds and knockout Ronda Rousey with a head kick at UFC 193. Since then, she’s had a rough go of it though, being submitted by Tate in her next bout before losing back to back decisions including one for the inaugural UFC women’s featherweight title. Holm has since righted the ship some with a knockout of Bethe Correia in June but her recent track record hasn’t been nearly as smooth as Cyborg’s, whose toughest fight lately has been with the UFC over contract terms. But Tate says that’s about to change as Holm may be able to give Cyborg a serious run for her money.
“If Cyborg gets ahold of her and throws her down to the ground, obviously Holly’s in trouble. She’s in big trouble. But I can truly attest to how amazing Holly’s footwork is and just how difficult she is to get ahold of, how hard it is to do that. You really have to throw everything to the wayside just to try to grab her. I think I got two takedowns on her in our five rounds and I’m smaller. I think I’m a little speedier than Cyborg is even. Cyborg’s really, really strong but she’s not necessarily the fastest woman in the world. She doesn’t tend to shoot a lot out in the open so I think to press Holly against the cage or to overwhelm Holly is going to be a difficult task, I really do.”
Holly Holm will get her second chance at becoming the fifth fighter ever and first woman to hold belts in two UFC weight classes when she faces Cris Cyborg at UFC 219 on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, Nev.
MUST-READ STORIES
Weigh-in. Check out the results from UFC Shanghai’s weigh-in.
Legacy. Jose Aldo believes second failed drug test “dirties” Anderson Silva’s career.
Box. Manny Pacquiao teases wanting to box Conor McGregor in 2018.
Retirement. Mirko Cro Cop says he will fight the winner of the Rizin heavyweight grand prix for farewell fight.
VIDEO STEW
Dan Hardy previewing Shanghai’s main event.
Free fight.
ADCC 2017 highlights.
Bisping highlights.
Gastelum highlights.
LISTEN UP
Talking Brawls. Brett Johns and Sergio Pettis drop by and Shanghai is discussed.
Bushido Talk. A Thanksgiving special episode and discussing next year’s champs.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Please stop giving Conor ideas.
Aggressive.
Today I'm thankful 2 @danawhite 4 giving @ABCnation115 fight she wished 4.4 her this is a dreamfight,guess what bitch it's gonna turn n2 ur worst nightmare. U in ur hometown w mama watching.U have the pressure.U r in heaven and I come from hell. Let's c what ur made of bitch.
— Angela Magana (@AngelaMagana1) November 24, 2017
I bet you never expected this one.
Happy Thanksgiving ya #filthyanimals this turkey ain't getting a pardon!!! @TWooodley pic.twitter.com/US6dD2lJp4
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) November 23, 2017
Priorities.
I’m thankful for the power that I possess in my left hand. Happy thanksgiving all! pic.twitter.com/caTYnHYh9P
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 23, 2017
Rampage.
Enjoy your long weekend pic.twitter.com/eqhIzO2mXj
— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) November 23, 2017
Are those Labrada Nutrition yams?
Happy Thanksgiving everybody! pic.twitter.com/KrhCzwwgKR
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) November 23, 2017
I hope none of y’all did this to your grandma.
When Grandma says you can't have the last piece of pie...
— AXS TV Fights (@AXSTVFights) November 23, 2017
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! pic.twitter.com/em3IJowsnv
Andre Fili is not thankful for getting jerked around.
Gadelha debating a move to flyweight despite there being a new sheriff in her division.
Jimmie trying to use the exact Cody playbook to get a title shot now.
Lmao he said get some big wins, i took out his old coach/mentor. Don’t let that belt go to your head kid. @TJDillashaw
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) November 20, 2017
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) November 23, 2017
what’s funny is i wonder how long before you leave Ludwig and start talking bad about him, you disloyal snake @TJDillashaw
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) November 23, 2017
Beef.
Super "SALTY" that's why he missed weight by 10lbs. Got whipped and complained after if you cut 10lbs less shouldn't you feel better? @ufc Fighter have lost their mind!! https://t.co/9CbXMZOy3m
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) November 24, 2017
Brother I said I respect you as a Champion. And a person! But I would want a rematch one day!
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) November 24, 2017
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Perhaps our most contentious poll yesterday with a ton of things getting a sizable number of votes but the biggest leaders were Turkey and Stuffing which is probably what most people expected. I do think y’all are massively underrating sweet potatoes though.
I hope that everyone who celebrates it had a great Thanksgiving and that everyone else had great Thursday. Enjoy your weekend, and for those brave few staying up late/getting up early for UFC Shanghai, godspeed.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Who wins the main event of UFC Shanghai?
This poll is closed
-
40%
Bisping
-
57%
Gastelum
-
2%
Draw/No Contest
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