With an overpowering rear naked choke on Holly Holm, Miesha Tate has become the newly crowned UFC Bantamweight champion.
But waiting on the peripheries is a wounded animal who dominated the Bantamweight division from when she first captured the belt in 2013. Ronda Rousey has been plotting to reclaim her throne ever since she suffered that crushing defeat against Holly Holm at UFC 193.
And although her revival has been arguably problematic, it seems that Miesha Tate's victory over Holly Holm last night has inspired Rousey to believe she can win back the belt.
Ronda Rousey finishes Miesha Tate twice
Holly Holm finishes Ronda Rousey
Miesha Tate finishes Holly Holm
What a crazy sport this is
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) March 6, 2016
Speaking on Fox Sports after the eventful UFC 196, association President Dana White said that Tate's first title defense will be against Ronda Rousey and also spoke of the text messages he exchanged with Rousey after Tate was declared the winner by submission.
''Ronda wasn't watching the fight. I text Ronda and she said 'What happened?'" White said. "I said 'Miesha just choked her unconscious' and she said 'Looks like I've got to get back to work.'"
. @UFC President @DanaWhite breaks down @TheNotoriousMMA's loss to @NateDiaz209 and the crazy night of #UFC196 https://t.co/DodXU5qlYQ
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) March 6, 2016
''"She's scheduled to not come back until October or November but it doesn't mean I can't ask."
Rousey and Tate last encountered in a UFC bout 2013, one year after Tate lost to Rousey in a Strikeforce title defense bout. And knowing that Tate is now the possessor of Rousey's cherished Bantamweight belt, may provoke her to make a dramatic return earlier than expected.
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