After big UFC 183 win, Miesha Tate wants Bethe Correia next

Miesha Tate has had just a few days to savor a big comeback victory – and she’s got a fairly serious injury to recover from – but she has a next opponent in mind.

Tate (16-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) shook off a first-round knockdown to come back and score a majority-decision win over Olympic medalist and fellow contender Sara McMann (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) this past Saturday at UFC 183 Their bout closed out the FOX Sports 1-televised prelims at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, and it was one of the more memorable performances from the card.

After the fight and a subsequent trip to the hospital, Tate, 28, attended the post-event press conference and confirmed she broke her orbital bone and has a four- to six-week recovery period.

However, once the two-time UFC title challenger is healed up, she wants a shot at Brazilian contender Bethe Correia (via Twitter):

Correia (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) was 6-0 before signing with the UFC in 2013 and has since picked up decision wins over Julie Kedzie and Jessamyn Duke, as well as a recent TKO victory over vet Shayna Baszler. The 31-year-old has also been vocal about wanting to fight Ronda Rousey and has caught the attention of the reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champ.

Bethe Correia

But if not Rousey, who meets undefeated Cat Zingano later this month in UFC 184’s headliner, could Tate be next for Correia? After all, as long as Rousey rules the division, Tate knows a third fight with the champ is unlikely since she already has two losses to her.

Following UFC 183, Tate said that, barring a change at the top of the division, she still just needs to rack up quality wins.

“I suppose it depends who wins,” she said when asked about her title prospects. “If it’s Ronda, obviously I think I have a little bit more work to do. If it’s Cat, I think a better argument could be made. So we’ll see who wins out of those two.

“But I’ve already told everyone I’m willing to do what it takes to get back to that. I’m not asking for it right now. I’m not asking for any handouts. I’m willing to put my nose to the grindstone. I’m willing to beat all the other top contenders until I am the only option left, if that’s what I have to do.”

She could do a lot worse than Correia.

For more on UFC 183, check out the UFC Events section of the site.