UFC 196 Main Card
Women’s Bantamweight Championship Fight
C Holly Holm (10-0) vs. #2 Miesha Tate (17-5)
After her shocking defeat of Ronda Rousey, most expected the UFC to hold Holly Holm out of any type of fight until they could setup the rematch. Instead, Dana White decided to reward Tate, who is on a four fight win streak, with a shot at the new champion while Ronda Rousey prepares for a return later this year. Tate should be rejuvenated at the thought of having a Championship opportunity against someone who isn’t Rousey, as she’d had virtually no success against the former champion, but Tate present a completely different variety of issues. Tate will be able to hang in with Holm on the feet, but ultimately Holm will win this fight if it’s determined by striking. Tate will need to overcome Holm’s clinch and takedown defense and get this fight to the ground, where Tate is in her wheelhouse, and Holm’s submission defense is generally untested.
Prediction: Tate is game, and gives Holm a challenge, but is ultimately unable to get the fight to the ground long enough to capitalize, and Holm wins via TKO to retain and continue the Holm/Rousey hype.
