Miesha Tate: Bleacher Report's MMA Hottie of the Week

Miesha Tate probably only looks familiar to you if you're a big fan of women's MMA.

Let's be frank: Not many of you reading this have ever even watched it.

But no worries, because I'm here to convince you to throw your misconceptions away and start paying attention to the sport.

Why? Because women like Tate actually throw on some gloves and get inside the octagon every once a while.

That should be enough.

So let's meet Ms. Tate, who is Bleacher Report's MMA Hottie of the Week.

Happy Birthday

Tate was born in Tacoma, Washington on August 18, 1986, which makes her 24 years old for any of you mathematically challenged folks out there.

I was actually born in August as well, though a couple years earlier.

So here's an idea, Miesha: How about we celebrate our birthdays together?

Boy Meets Girl

In high school, Tate actually joined the boys' wrestling team because she was looking to get into a more aggressive sport.

This is purely a guess on my part, but I bet that her teammates were in quite the rush to grapple with her during practice.

I'm sure that's all they wanted to do, right?

World Class

In 2005, Tate won the high school women's state wrestling championship before going on to win gold at the World Team Trials.

She wrestled in that national tournament at 158 pounds.

I gotta say, no girl I've ever seen has rocked a nearly 160-pound body quite like Tate has.

All in the Family

After high school, Tate was introduced to MMA by a friend while attending Central Washington University and decided to join the school's MMA club.

It was run by her current boyfriend, trainer and MMA fighter Bryan Caraway, who's now a featherweight in WEC.

If they ever have kids, I'd hate to see what kind of havoc they wreak in the schoolyard.

Knockout

Tate made her MMA debut in 2007 during a one-night tournament called the HOOKnSHOOT Women's Grand Prix.

She won her opening round bout but was defeated by eventual champion Kaitlyn Young after a head kick knocked her out.

Luckily, that kick was to the back of the head and not the face.

You Always Remember Your First

In June 2008, Tate faced Elaina Maxwell—the protege of world-renowned MMA fighter Cung Le—at a Strikeforce event.

Though Tate had moved up in weight for the bout, she defeated Maxwell by unanimous decision for her first marquee win.

This just in: She looked pretty hot while doing it, too.

Play Like a Champion

After three more impressive bouts, Tate would go on to win the Freestyle Cage Fighting Women's Championship from Liz Carreiro in April 2009.

Rumor has it that she was wearing that outfit during the fight.

I approve.

Back to Her Old Stomping Grounds

In May 2008, Tate made her return to Strikeforce, where she was originally scheduled to fight Kim Couture, the now ex-wife of MMA legend Randy Couture.

However, Couture pulled out of the bout for undisclosed reasons.

Pulling out when you're not prepared is never a bad decision.

The Decision

Couture wound up being replaced by undefeated Canadian fighter Sarah Kaufman on the card.

Though Tate was defeated by unanimous decision, she was the first fighter to take Kaufman to a decision.

Since we're talking about decisions so much, here's one for ya: I've made the decision to think Tate looks damn good, especially for a girl who can kick my ass.

Quick Hit

At a CageSport MMA Event in October 2009, Tate knocked out Sarah Oriza just eight seconds into the Round 2.

I find that pretty funny.

Why? Because most men wouldn't last eight seconds with Tate either.

Double Dutch

In January 2010, Tate successfully defended her FCF title by defeating Valerie Coolbaugh with an armbar submission in the first round.

She reportedly than grabbed a jump rope, threw on a bra and panties and posed for some sexy pictures.

Nah, not really. But how else was I supposed to tie that fight into this picture?

Different Day, Same Story

In her next fight—on March 26, 2010—Tate defeated Zoila Frausto the same way: with an armbar.

By the way, I really wish I was a Cage Hero logo...or a Full Tilt advertisement...or a promotional ad for Fighters.com.

I'm not picky either. Any one of the three will suffice.

Winning's Winning

In her most recent MMA outing (August 2010), Tate competed in a one-night Strikeforce 135-pound women's tournament.

She won the event after defeating Hitomi Akano by unanimous decision in the finals and was named the Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Tournament Champion.

It wouldn't even have mattered had Tate lost. She'll always be a winner in my book.

Quite the Career

To date, Tate has compiled a career MMA record of 11-2, with four wins by decision, four by submission and three by knockout.

Let me translate that for you.

Tate can break your jaw if you talk back to her but still look hot in a dress and heels.

Top Dog

Remember that FCF Bantamweight Women's Champonship that Tate won?

Yeah, she still has that, plus a silver medal in the FILA Grappling Championship.

Oh yeah, apparently she has a dog too.

I'd probably let her call me Sparky.

Pound-for-Pound

Tate is currently the No. 11 pound-for-pound female fighter in the world, according to MMARising.com, and the No. 6 135-pounder, according to the Women's Unified MMA Rankings.

That's really not surprising, though.

I mean, as hard as it is for me to admit this, Tate's biceps are undoubtedly bigger than mine.

36-24-36?

I know you guys want to know if Tate's measurements are 36-24-36, a.k.a. if she's a Brick House.

But believe it or not, I couldn't find that info on the Internet.

She is, however, listed at 5'6", 135 pounds. A very sexy 135 pounds, I might add.

The Greater Good

Like many people in positions of power, Tate has used her influence for the common good and has become an advocate for rape prevention.

Alongside MMA legend Ken Shamrock, she has begun production on a DVD that teaches women how to use MMA techniques to defend against attackers.

I wonder if Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Tyson or Lawrence Taylor has been contacted to appear in the video.

Takedown

Tate, whose fighting style is a blend of wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, is commonly referred to as "Takedown."

Takedown Tate, huh? I can get on board with that.

She might have trouble living up to that moniker if she keeps pounding back brewskies, though.

The Bonus Round

For sticking all the way through until the end of the slideshow, you guys get a bonus round.

And by bonus round, I mean—well, just look at the picture.

You're welcome.