Given their strong television personalities, marketable looks and intense rivalry, a rematch between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey was an optimal scenario for UFC, second perhaps only to a bout between Rousey and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos.
Unfortunately, Tate came up short in a number one contender’s match for the Women’s Bantamweight title, thrusting lesser-known Cat Zingano into a title picture that also included a coaching gig on the upcoming “Ultimate Fighter” season.
Thanks to a knee injury, Tate is back in the picture.
UFC confirmed Tuesday that Zingano, who was to begin her coaching stint, was forced to undergo knee surgery, which enabled UFC to give her spot to Tate. Tate will now coach against Rousey in preparation for a shot at Rousey’s championship.
The new opportunity for Tate means her scheduled match against Liz Carmouche has been cancelled.
After a heated build-up that made for the most high-profile Strikeforce women’s bout since Gina Carano vs. “Cyborg,” Ronda Rousey defeated Miesha Tate via a gruesome armbar in the first round of their March 2012 fight. Since then, Rousey has topped Sarah Kaufman and Liz Carmouche, both via first-round armbar. Tate beat Julie Kedzie but then lost her UFC debut fight against Zingano.