Miesha Tate vs. Jessica Eye: A Head-to-Toe Breakdown

UFC on Fox 16 on Saturday will be co-headlined by a possible title eliminator at 135 pounds when No. 2-ranked contender Miesha Tate (16-5) squares off against No. 5-ranked Jessica Eye (11-2, 1 NC).

Tate has a storied history with Ronda Rousey, but she has failed to defeat her in two attempts. Tate has been working back to a title shot, and a win on Saturday should put her above all other contenders. Since dropping her last fight to Rousey, Tate has reeled off three wins over Liz Carmouche, Rin Nakai and Sara McMann.

Eye is not on a winning streak, but being a fresh face for Rousey gives her an advantage over other fallen contenders. Eye's last bout was a TKO win over Leslie Smith.

Rousey takes on No. 7-ranked Bethe Correia on August 1 at UFC 190. The winner of Eye vs. Tate would make sense as the next contender based on resume and timing. As a result, the UFC on Fox 16 co-main event has high stakes.

This is your head-to-toe breakdown of this compelling bantamweight showdown.

Striking

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This will be Eye's fight to lose if they stay on the feet. She is the superior striker.

Tate has improved her striking over the years, but it is still not good. She often just uses her striking to close the distance, and when she does, she wades in with awful technique.

Eye has much better boxing than Tate. Her footwork and head movement are some of the best in the division. She is also an aggressive striker. She won't hold back in a firefight. She also holds a lot of power in her punches, and if she connects cleanly, she will rock Tate.

The key for Eye in this matchup will be to circle away from Tate's forward pressure. Tate will want to close the distance, but if Eye can circle out and keep landing, for the former Strikeforce champion will have a difficult night.

Edge: Eye

Grappling

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This is where Tate can run away with the fight. Eye will be prepared to defend the takedown, but that is not her forte. Alexis Davis took down Eye twice, and Tate is a much better wrestler than Davis.

If Tate can get in close, she will turn this fight into a grind. Despite being a former champion, Tate's skill is often overlooked. It seemed like a poor matchup for Tate against Sara McMann, but the former champion won that fight and was only taken down once.

If Tate takes down Eye effortlessly in the first round, this may not be competitive.

Eye really struggled on the ground against Davis. Tate will be able to maintain position as well.

Edge: Tate

Submissions

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Tate will likely have better positions because of her grappling, and she has a better chance than Eye to win this fight via submission.

Eye has some good chokes, but don't expect Tate to put herself in dangerous positions. She looks for submissions actively from the top and on the bottom. She beat Marloes Coenen with an arm-triangle choke and came from behind against Julie Kedzie with an armbar. She is crafty.

Tate may see submission opportunities in this fight if it hits the canvas. Eye will open up in order to get back to her feet, and Tate has smooth transitions.

Eye's submission defense has improved a lot since she tapped out to Aisling Daly. An early submission is unlikely. I would not expect Eye to be a significant submission threat, but Tate will most likely have her moments during the 15 minutes of action.

Edge: Tate

X-Factors

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Eye's X-Factor: Distance

Keeping distance will play a major role for Eye on Saturday.

She holds a striking advantage over Tate and has a one-inch reach advantage. Even more importantly, keeping Tate at a distance makes the takedown attempts easier to read. If Tate is constantly shooting from the outside, Eye will be able to keep this fight standing.

Eye cannot allow Tate to close the distance easily. Each and every time she comes in, Eye must make her pay.

Tate's X-Factor: Patience

Eye is an aggressive fighter, and Tate has a history of getting caught up in exchanges. If Tate is patient on Saturday, she will be more effective.

A more tactical approach against Eye will open up more holes for Tate to exploit. She can begin to read Eye's combinations and change levels for more effective takedowns or land crisp counter shots. Being patient will also keep her cardio up through the end of the fight.

Tate may be able to outlast Eye. If she tries to go shot for shot with Eye, it will be a disappointing evening for the wrestler.

Prediction

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This fight is going to go 15 minutes.

Here's the bottom line: If Eye can stop the takedowns, she will win. Her output and boxing will score points to win rounds.

That is what I expect to happen. Eye will draw Tate into striking exchanges, land harder and escape without Tate pushing her against the fence. Tate's face will wear the punishment she receives. It will slowly sap her energy. On tired legs, Tate's takedown attempts will be easily thwarted.

Tate is tough, so Eye won't get the stoppage. But I do predict this to be a 30-27 performance where Tate just cannot do enough on the feet to take a round. She will put Eye down on the mat a time or two, but the Ohioan will work her way back to her feet to continue touching Tate up on the feet.

Eye will be in position for a title shot following UFC on Fox 16.

Prediction: Eye defeats Tate by unanimous decision.