Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha “Takedown” Tate will defend her title against Olympic bronze medallist “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey on March 3rd in Columbus, Ohio. The bout, first reported by MMAWeekly.com this week, was officially confirmed during tonight’s Strikeforce telecast.

Tate has won six straight fights since dropping a decision to Sarah Kaufman at the inaugural Strikeforce Challengers event in May 2009 and captured the belt from Marloes “Rumina” Coenen this past July. Rousey has won each of her seven pro and amateur bouts by armbar in less than one minute apiece.

Tate (12-2-0) became the first woman to ever submit Coenen in their title fight last year and she also remains the only fighter to date to hold a victory over Bellator champion Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Gurgel. The wrestling standout earned her shot at the title by winning the 2010 Strikeforce women’s bantamweight tournament and she has spoken out against Rousey in feeling that the judoka does not deserve a shot at the belt.

Rousey (4-0-0) has marketed her way into the title fight with her actions both inside and outside of the cage. With four pro wins in 2011 – all quick armbar submissions – Rousey became a top contender at 145 pounds. However, despite initially campaigning for a fight with Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, Rousey switched her focus to the 135-pound division and a bout with Tate, and her efforts in the media no doubt played a part in the decision to give her the fight.

While Tate still feels that there are other fighters who should be ahead of Rousey in line for title shots, she will nonetheless face one of the toughest tests of her career when she battles the unbeaten rising star. Rousey has thus far made MMA look easy, but Tate’s wrestling is among the best of any female fighter in the sport and Rousey has not yet had to battle through any adversity in the event that she cannot take an opponent down.

Tate and Rousey will face off for the title at the upcoming Strikeforce event on March 3rd at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)