MMA star Miesha Tate said she's grateful for her rival Ronda Rousey for keeping her focused on her goal of being a better fighter, ahead of their much-anticipated women's bantamweight title rematch at UFC 168.
Tate, who previously held the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship before losing to Rousey last year, is thanking the talented judoka for their rivalry and keeping her motivated in a weird way.
"Thank You for being my rival," Tate said in an interview with ESNews reporter Elie Sechbach during the ESPYs Award last week.
The 26-year-old Tate also credited Rousey for opening the doors for women's MMA, who have achieved significant following since UFC put it on its roster of pay-per-view events.
Rousey officially became the first UFC Women's Champion after submitting Liz Carmouche by using her signature armbar in the main event of UFC 158 last February. It marked Rousey's second title defense since taking the title from Tate during their tenure at the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion.
Rousey and Tate will meet again for the second time in two years in the undercard bout of Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman Middleweight Showdown at UFC 168 in December at MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
Before the end of Tate's interview, a bunch of guys crashed in to stir things up. Apparently, they were none other than the players from Florida Golf Coast University (A.K.A Dunk City), who won the Upset of the Year at the ESPYs after stunning no.2 seed Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament last Spring.