UFC 183 Results: 3 Fights for Miesha Tate to Take Next

Miesha Tate is as savvy as they come. The former Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion might have fallen short against current division champion Ronda Rousey, but her ability to grind and scrape together wins against the rest of her peers is as remarkable as it is unspectacular. Tate’s winning mentality was on full display at UFC 183 this weekend, as she gutted out a decision against Sara McMann.

However, Cupcake finds herself in an unusual position. Despite being in the top three of the division, it’s doubtful the UFC brass will be eager to offer another title shot until more time has passed since her last bout with Rousey.

What are Tate’s options? Let’s engage in some speculation.

Jessica Eye

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Tate will be taking time off after suffering a broken orbital bone against McMann, per Fox Sports, but Jessica Eye is one option for her return.

Eye is coming off an impressive—and pretty graphic—win over Leslie Smith at UFC 180.  Her striking continues to look outstanding.

Eye’s UFC career has been a bit of a mixed bag, but she has never been anything less than competitive. Tate’s grappling would certainly be a huge test for the 28 year old.

Alexis Davis

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Alexis Davis is coming off a quick and painful loss to Rousey. Matching up a fighter coming off a win with a fighter coming off a loss isn’t generally the UFC’s style, but options are limited in the top five.

Stylistically, it’s an interesting matchup. Both are excellent grapplers, but Davis is the more refined striker. As has been the case with Tate recently, one suspects she would have to rely on her grittiness to get the win.

A win over someone like Davis would certainly get Tate right back in the title hunt, though.

Sarah Kaufman

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Sarah Kaufman is the forgotten woman of the UFC women’s bantamweight division. Despite boasting an excellent 17-2(1) record, her name is rarely mentioned in title talk.

Kaufman also holds a 2009 win over Tate, which the former Strikeforce queen would no doubt like to get back.

Having not fought for around nine months, Kaufman will be eager to get back in the cage. Whether she would be interested in waiting for Tate to heal up is debatable.