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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
This July, former Women's Bantamweight Champ Miesha Tate will take on Liz Carmouche, who has twice challenged for that belt. It's a matchup that could have happened before, as Carmouche was an alternate in the mini-tournament Tate won to get her first crack at the title back in 2010, and she's now looking forward to finally meeting Tate in the cage.
"It's a matchup I feel like has been a long time in the making," Carmouche said earlier this week on The MMA Hour. "I started off fighting in Strikeforce in the tournament that she ultimately won, so it seems like our paths have been crossing our entire careers, so it seems like this is finally our day."
"She's a really well-rounded fighter. I respect her a lot as an athlete. I think our styles are going to matchup really well. It's going to be back and forth, I think it's going to be who has the most heart, who puts the most work in. That's whats ultimately going to decide it."
Of course, to move forward, Carmouche has to get past the missed opportunity she had in February. As one half of the first-ever women's bout in UFC history, Carmouche came ever so close to pulling off an upset win over Ronda Rousey when she latched on a rear naked choke and contorted Rousey's neck and jaw. But Rousey got loose, and wound up capturing Carmouche in an armbar.
"I'm still not getting over it," Carmouche said." I'm my hardest critic, I expect the best of myself, I'm a perfectionist. So it's one of those things, unless I have a chance to reclaim it, I won't be happy with myself."
Penick's Analysis: The first step for both Tate and Carmouche to get back to Rousey is winning this fight. They're both in need of redemption, and are coming in with the knowledge that a victory moves them a step closer to that second fight with the reigning Champion. That's motivation enough. Both have had their fair share of high profile moments, and there's going to be another one here as they'll be the first women's UFC bout on network TV as well. It's a huge moment for them both, and it should be fun to watch.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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