Miesha Tate (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Miesha Tate made it clear that she respected Holly Holm leading up to their UFC 196 scrap, and following the memorable bout, the new champ is heaping praise on the latter.

Tate choked Holm out in the fifth round of their March 5th fight, and in doing so, secured the promotion’s bantamweight title. The fight marked the first time Holm had fought, since she KO’d Ronda Rousey in November to become champion.

The new champ appeared on “UFC Tonight” on Wednesday, and during the show, she said this about Holm (quote via FOX Sports press release):

“Holly went out on her shield like a true warrior. Nobody can take it away from her. She did everything she could to get out to that choke. She’s a beast. A warrior.”

Tate also said during the interview that she wants to stay active, and would like to fight in the short term future, rather than wait for the return of Rousey later this year.