Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion, Miesha Tate, made a successful return to the octagon after 5 long years at UFC Vegas 31. ‘Cupcake’ got the better of Marion Reneau via TKO in the third round. She made a statement and sent a warning to the rest of the division.
.@MieshaTate answers @HollyHolm's rematch call.
"Before I retire, her and I will fight again."#UFCVegas31 | Full video: https://t.co/NjTXkOAZKK pic.twitter.com/BhHGbMxZUg
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) July 18, 2021
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Despite being out for so long, many expected her to have some stiffness, some ring rust and all. But the former champion quashed those clouds of uncertainties with a dominating performance. It was also an emotional night for her as she walked down the aisle for the first time in 5 years.
With a win over a top 15 ranked fighter, the butterflies inside her stomach may rest for good now. It remains to be seen what lies ahead for ‘Cupcake’ in her path towards the championship. She probably will fight with ranked opponents only from now onwards.
Even before she could land a foot inside the octagon, her formal rival, the former bantamweight champion, Holly Holm expressed her desire to fight her in a rematch.
“Uhh no. They are all fair game,” Tate replied to the reporter, who asked if she was content with one fight with Holm. “I mean, I think I have a fight with Holly a second time would be, you know, will be great.”
Tate further added that she is ready for anyone who steps up but is unsure how the rankings would pave out for her. But for all things said and done, she is optimistic about a rematch with Holm.
“I’m sure Holly and I, I have no doubt about it, before I retire, her and I will fight again,” ‘Cupcake’ concluded.
Miesha Tate wants to be fully prepared before the title shot
‘Cupcake‘ was an elite-level star in MMA before her previous retirement. She featured mostly around the title fights in her career and knows how to fight in big matches.
Despite having ambitions to reclaim the gold, she wants to wait for the right time before she fights for the title. “I’m just going to do what’s right for me,” Tate said. “This is the first time I can say in my life that I’m the CEO. There is nobody else making decisions.”
“Everybody that’s around me is here to support what I want, my dreams and my goals. So if it feels right, we’ll do it but I’m not in a rush. I want to make the most.”
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“When I do fight for the title, whoever that may be, it will be the right time and we’ll make sure that we’re ready. We’re not going to rush anything but we won’t miss any opportunities either.”
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It will be interesting to see how UFC takes her case forward from here.
Do you think Tate and Holly would meet again?