Aaron Tru with Ken Pavia: Female MMA Tate, Toughill

StrikeForce MMA fighter Miesha Tate Post Fight w/ Aaron Tru

Ready To Fight, Miesha Tate High on Women's MMA

Originally posted on MMAweekly.com

In a sport dominated by raging testosterone driven men with their high protein diets, it’s finally women who are now beginning to step up and take the helm. Women in mixed martial arts have been suffering from the same afflictions as those in boxing; there are not enough notable women to establish complete legitimacy in all organizations.

Scott Cokers’ Strikeforce has made an attempt to help the continuing efforts of the female persuasion to be taken seriously in MMA today. Case in point, the acquisition of Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos and the on-going negotiations with former EliteXC star Gina Carano (arguably two of the biggest female names in the sport today).

Kim Couture – who vicariously has become another big name in the sport due to her husband’s legendary status and holds an unimpressive 1-1 record thus far – was originally set to face rising female star Miesha Tate on the first Sho MMA: Strikeforce Challengers card on Friday night. The vice president of Xtreme Couture operations subsequently pulled out of the fight citing personal issues.

Miesha has now received a new and more experienced opponent in Sarah Kauffman, who maintains a perfect 8-0 record as a professional.

Tate remains un-phased, but also recognizes on the missed opportunity of fighting a big named opponent in a sport controlled by men whom have already established their own legacies and women who are fending for themselves to reach the same pinnacle.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAweekly.com

Despite opponent change, Miesha Tate comfortable with "win-win" situation

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

Things have changed quickly for Miesha Tate (6-1).

From Shawnee to Showtime, Tate has gone from a rural Oklahoma fight to national television in just four months.

And as Tate prepares to meet undefeated Canadian Sarah Kaufman (8-0) on the main card of Friday's "Strikeforce Challengers" event in Fresno, Calif., the Washington resident is excited with every last adjustment.

"I'm just really excited to be a part of [Strikeforce]," Tate said. "I think this is the forefront for women's MMA, and I can't be more excited to be a part of it. It really is a dream come true for me."

That dream took a decided plot twist in the past two weeks, when Tate's original opponent, Kim Couture (1-1), was forced to withdraw from the bout for unspecified reasons. Kaufman jumped at the opportunity to step in, and the change of opponents represented a real upgrade for Tate to face.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Exclusive: Interview with Miesha Tate

Originally posted on FightTicker.com

On May 13th many people thought they were going to see Kim Couture facing Miesha Tate. Although Kim’s name recognition meant a lot for this fight she has pulled out and was replaced by Sarah Kaufman. For those of you who don’t know either Tate or Kaufman, let me tell you -- this should be a war!

Tate is one of the top wrestlers in the division and Kaufman has shown great striking in her fights so this should be a very tactical fight.

I have been friends with Miesha for a long time now and had the chance to ask her a few questions about this fight by email. This interview was conducted before Couture officially pulled out of the fight.

FightTicker.com: First off thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions this close to your fight… Being a young wrestler myself, you are someone that has influenced my dedication to my wrestling and MMA. With that said do you think the number of girls that are joining wrestling teams will grow due to MMA’s influence?

Meisha Tate: I do think there will be more women joining wrestling teams because of MMA and vice versa, and I think the same goes for men. Wrestling is a huge part of MMA because it allows you to dictate where the fight goes

FightTicker.com: We share a sponsor in Tussle Fight Gear…As do a growing number of female fighters and future bangers. How has sponsorship changed for you, and females, since you started?

Tate: Tussle Fight Gear has been by far the most supportive sponsor I have and they are huge fans and supporters of women’s MMA. Right now the economy is bad so sponsorships are harder to get but overall I think we have more sponsors supporting women then we did when I first started fighting in 2006.

FightTicker.com: Have you changed your training routine for your upcoming fight with Kim, or do you keep your training regimen about the same?

Tate: Actually Kim backed out of the fight with me and I am now set to fight Sarah Kaufman as a replacement. My game plan is a little different for this fight and I'm training very hard because it is a very important fight for me!

FightTicker.com: How does your typical week go as far as training?

Tate: I train twice a day, either running in the morning or working out with my new personal trainer Jody Dolphin who creates explosive strength training/cardio workouts that cater to MMA. Then I train in the evenings doing anything and everything involving MMA; sometimes we isolate just kickboxing or grappling but mostly we just get in there and fight each other! I usually take one day off a week, either Saturday or Sunday.

Click here to read the entire article at FightTicker.com

Strikeforce confirms finalized fight card for May 15 "SHO MMA" event

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

The full card is set for Strikeforce's May 15 "SHO MMA" event, the first Showtime-televised installment of the organization's "Challengers" series.

Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz today confirmed the full lineup with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The 10-fight card takes place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., and the main card, including a headliner between lightweights Billy Evangelista (9-0) and Mike Aina (11-6-1), airs on Showtime.

In addition to the main event, the May 15 card includes heavyweights Carl Seumanutafa (4-2) vs. Lavar Johnson (11-3), 205-pounders Aaron Rosa (11-2) vs. Anthony Ruiz (21-12), and featherweights Tito Jones (6-2) vs. Bao Quach (15-9-1).

The full card for the event includes:

MAIN CARD
Mike Aina vs. Billy Evangelista
Sarah Kaufman vs. Miesha Tate
Lavar Johnson vs. Carl Seumanutafa
Aaron Rosa vs. Anthony Ruiz
Tito Jones vs. Bao Quach

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com

Sarah Kaufman replaces Kim Couture, meets Miesha Tate at May 15 SHO MMA

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

With Kim Couture (1-1) voluntarily pulling out of the event, her original opponent, Miesha Tate (5-1), will now take on late replacement Sarah Kaufman (8-0) at Strikeforce's May 15 SHO MMA event.

Strikeforce executive Mike Afromowitz today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the fight has been signed for the night's Showtime-televised main card.

The show, which is the first Strikeforce-prospects event to air on Showtime, takes place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com