Miesha Tate: Cris Cyborg needed to respect Amanda Nunes’ KO ‘power’

Bloodyelbow.com

Miesha Tate knows first hand about Amanda Nunes’ power, which is why the former women’s bantamweight champion wished Cris Cyborg — real name Cristiane Justino — had been a little more cautious and strategic heading into her featherweight title defense at UFC 232.

Cyborg, 33, was dismantled and knocked out just 51 seconds into the opening round, losing her first fight in over thirteen years and suffering the first KO defeat of her career. Nunes became the first female double-champ in the promotion’s history and now reigns over the UFC bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio in a recent interview, Tate, who was submitted by Nunes back in 2016, believes Cyborg underestimated her opponent’s power.

“I said, if she lands that right hand – if Cyborg doesn’t respect the fact that Amanda has enough power to knock her out, she’s going to be in trouble,” Tate said. “I was like, ‘Cyborg needs a strategy.’ She’s never needed a strategy in a fight [before].”

Carrying on, ‘Cupcake’ said Nunes is the hardest-hitting fighter she’s ever faced and believes ‘The Lioness’ may even have what it takes to make the transition to boxing.

“Her simple jab feels like a right hand, and then her right hand feels like you got hit by a truck,” Tate said. “I didn’t even know where I was half of that fight.” “It’s not even in the same league. Amanda hits way harder.”

“I think she’d be knocking girls out, for sure,” Tate said when asked about the possibility of Nunes competing in the boxing ring.

Following her win at UFC 232, Nunes has shut down any calls of an immediate rematch with Cyborg and has hinted that she will be vacating the featherweight title.