Former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha “Cupcake” Tate looks for her first Octagon victory when she faces off against Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche at UFC on FOX 11 on April 19th in Orlando, Florida. UFC officials announced plans for the featured matchup earlier this evening.
Tate and Carmouche were first set to meet at UFC on FOX 8 this past July, but Tate was pulled from the fight in order to coach and compete opposite UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey on The Ultimate Fighter 18. Tate succumbed to a Rousey armbar at UFC 168.
Tate (13-5-0) made her UFC debut in April in what was billed as a number one contender’s bout against unbeaten rising star “Alpha” Cat Zingano. While Tate got off to a strong start in the first two rounds, she ultimately suffered a third-round TKO defeat that temporarily dropped her from the title picture. Things changed in the summer when Zingano was forced to withdraw from TUF 18 due to a knee injury and Tate stepped in to coach and compete against her nemesis, Rousey. In the pair’s rematch at UFC 168 this past month, Tate put on a game performance before tapping out to Rousey’s signature armbar in the third round of an action-packed battle.
Carmouche (9-4-0) is no stranger to high-profile fights herself. The former U.S. Marine challenged for the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship in March 2011 and dominated then-champ Marloes “Rumina” Coenen until Coenen secured a comeback submission victory in round four. After scoring back-to-back wins for Invicta FC, Carmouche made history as one-half of the UFC’s first female fight when she faced Rousey at UFC 157. Rousey submitted Carmouche with an armbar, but Carmouche bounced back with a stoppage win over Jéssica “Bate Estaca” Andrade. She most recently dropped a one-sided decision to fast-rising contender Alexis “Ally-Gator” Davis at UFC Fight Night 31.
With Tate and Carmouche both in danger of suffering their third defeats inside the UFC, both women will be looking to solidify their respective spots on the UFC’s roster with an impressive victory in April. The winner will move one step back towards title contention, while the loser may be forced to fight her way back into the UFC.
UFC on FOX 11 takes place on April 19th at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
(Photo Credit: UFC)