UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has skyrocketed to the fringes of superstardom, breaking down barriers that separated men from women in combat sports. She’s ushered in a new era of awareness about female mixed martial artists. Rivalries sell fights and build legacies, and her rise to prominence will forever be linked to her bitter rivalry with Miesha Tate . Tate captured the Strikeforce women’s 135-pound title by submitting Marloes Coenen in July 2011. Rousey was an up-and-comer who had only fought in Strikeforce’s farm league Challengers Series at the time. Rousey relentlessly called out the champion and was eventually granted the opportunity to fight for the title. Tate felt that Rousey’s tactics to obtain the title bout were disrespectful. Rousey defeated Tate in the first round by arm bar, dislocating Tate’s left arm at the elbow
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