Miesha Tate is no stranger to the spotlight. From the highs of winning the UFC bantamweight title to stepping away from the sport, her career has been a rollercoaster. Now, at 38, she’s ready to make a comeback on May 3 against Yana Santos. But what makes this second act different? Is the window of opportunity still wide open for Tate, or is time starting to close?

Her comeback isn’t just a feel-good story; it’s rooted in strategy, timing, and an evolving fighter. Let’s break down three reasons why Miesha Tate will not just succeed but thrive in her return to the Octagon despite ‘Father Time’ still being a roadblock in her comeback!

1. Division isn’t as deep as before

The landscape of women’s bantamweight has shifted since Miesha Tate first ruled the division. Back in her prime, Tate was fighting against legends like Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, and Amanda Nunes. But now? The division isn’t as stacked with household names, and ‘The Lioness’s retirement has left a significant gap.

The title picture is wide open, and the contenders vying for a shot aren’t as unbeatable as they once seemed.

Current bantamweight champion, Julianna Peña, former champion Raquel Pennington, and names like contender Mayra Bueno Silva are all formidable, but each one has weaknesses ‘Cupcake’ can exploit.

In fact, when Tate faced Julia Avila in her last fight in December 2023, she showcased a dominant performance, even submitting Avila in the third round with a face-crank. The win not only ended a two-fight losing streak but also reminded everyone that ‘Cupcake’ is far from done. So, with the division’s landscape more navigable than before, Miesha Tate’s chances of climbing the ranks are looking brighter.

2. Improved strength & physical conditioning

Age may be a number, but Miesha Tate’s body isn’t feeling it, yet. Since her first retirement, she’s dedicated herself to improving her physical conditioning. And it shows. Fighters like Glover Teixeira and Randy Couture proved that with the right approach, age can actually be an advantage in combat sports. It’s not just about youthful explosiveness but about strategy, grit, and the grind—and Miehsa Tate has these in spades.

When Tate returned in 2021, she looked physically stronger than ever before. She’s reportedly been focusing on strength training, recovery, and maintaining peak athleticism. In fact, the same advancements in sports science that have helped older fighters extend their careers are now working in her favor.

Moreover, Tate’s fighting style relies less on sheer athleticism and more on a relentless work ethic. With a 29% submission win rate and a 57% decision rate in the UFC, Tate’s style is one that tends to age well. She’s not relying on short bursts of energy or speed; instead, she’s built her career around wearing her opponents down and grinding out victories.

This approach means that it’s not too much of a stretch to predict that she’ll remain effective in the Octagon longer than those whose success is tied to speed and explosiveness!

3. UFC star power & favorable matchmaking

The biggest factor in her favor? Miesha Tate’s name still carries weight in the UFC. As a former champion and fan favorite, she’s a major draw for the promotion. The UFC knows that her fights bring in fans and attention, making her a valuable asset to their roster. And when it comes to matchmaking, Tate will likely be given opportunities that align with her strengths.

Rather than throwing her into a fight with a dangerous, up-and-coming contender, Tate will likely face winnable bouts to help her build momentum. Think of veterans or lower-ranked opponents who don’t pose a serious threat but offer Tate the chance to get back into the rhythm of competition. These favorable matchups will allow her to build confidence and showcase the improvements she’s made since her return.

The UFC’s matchmaking is all about creating stars, and ‘Cupcake’ Tate is already one. That means she’ll be given the spotlight to prove herself again—one win at a time. But the question still remains, could Miesha Tate’s return be one of the greatest comeback stories in MMA so far? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!