Miesha “Cupcake” Tate – Sweet and Lethal

Miesha “Cupcake” Tate is an American mixed martial artist.

She is a former Strikeforce and UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Tate was the VP for ONE Championship.

As of July 19, 2021, she is #8 in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings, with 19 wins and 7 losses career, and is one of the most important female MMA figures in the world.

Tate made her professional debut in mixed martial arts in November 2007 at the one-night HOOKnSHOOT Women’s Grand Prix.

She defeated Jan Finney by the decision but was knocked out later in the night by a head-kick from eventual tournament champion Kaitlin Young.

Throughout 2008 and 2009, Tate fought in several small organizations which did not regularly televise fights.

Miesha eventually captured the Strikeforce title, which lead to a fierce rivalry with the up and coming challenger, Ronda Rousey, who managed to take the title from “Cupcake“.

After she got a rebound victory, Strikeforce folded and their fighters went to the UFC, including Tate.

UFC Profile – Miesha Tate’s UFC Run

The road to her first Title Run:

• Miesha Tate vs. Cat Zingano

The UFC announced that she would face Cat Zingano on April 13 at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale.

Before the fight, it was revealed that the winner of Tate vs. Zingano would receive a title shot against Rousey, who became the inaugural UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion due to Strikeforce and the UFC being owned by the same company. 

On May 28, it was announced that Zingano had withdrawn as Rousey‘s opponent and opposing coach after suffering a knee injury that required surgery, and had been replaced by Tate.

• Miesha Tate vs. Ronda Rousey

Before their rematch, Rousey expressed respect for Tate’s fighting ability and declared her appreciation for their rivalry.

First UFC victories

• Miesha Tate vs. Liz Carmouche

Tate faced Liz Carmouche in the co-main event at UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne on April 19, 2014.

She won the fight via unanimous decision, earning her first win in the UFC.

• Miesha Tate vs. Rin Nakai

Tate then faced promotion newcomer Rin Nakai at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson on September 20, 2014.

She won the fight via unanimous decision, making Tate 2-2 in the UFC.

• Miesha Tate vs. Sara McMann

Tate faced Sara McMann at UFC 183 on January 31, 2015.

Tate surprised many in the MMA community by out-grappling McMann, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, for the majority of round 3, winning the fight by majority decision.

Following Tate’s third UFC victory, FoxSports.com declared that Tate had “proven to be the top fighter in the world at 135 pounds outside of the champion“.

• Miesha Tate vs. Jessica Eye

On March 20, 2015, it was announced that Tate would face Jessica Eye on July 25, 2015, at UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barão 2. 

Given the significance of the fight, which was initially promoted as a top-contender bout, Tate remarked that she expected “the best Jessica Eye that anyone has ever seen,” and called Eye a tough opponent.

Tate won the fight by unanimous decision.

UFC Championship and Defense

• Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm

On November 14, 2015, Holly Holm defeated Rousey for the UFC Bantamweight Championship.

In January 2016, the UFC announced that Tate would be the first title defense for Holm at UFC 196 on March 5, 2016.

After a back-and-forth four rounds that saw both fighters displaying an advantage, Tate defeated Holm via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the fifth round to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion.

The win also earned Tate her first Performance of the Night bonus award.

• Miesha Tate vs. Amanda Nunes

Following Tate’s victory over Holm, UFC president Dana White quickly announced that Tate‘s first title defense would be against Ronda Rousey at a yet-to-be-determined event later in 2016.

However, on April 6, White revealed that Tate would instead fight Amanda Nunes in her first title defense at UFC 200 on July 9, 2016.

In this fight, Nunes battered Tate with several consecutive strikes and finished her with a rear-naked choke three minutes into the first round.

Retirement and Return:

• Miesha Tate vs. Raquel Pennington

Tate fought Raquel Pennington at UFC 205 on November 12, 2016.

Before the event, Tate stated that she intended to take a hiatus from MMA after the bout. 

After losing to Pennington via unanimous decision, Tate announced her retirement from mixed martial arts.

“I love you all so much, I’ve been doing this for over a decade. Thank you so much for being here, I love this sport forever but it’s not my time anymore,” she said after the fight.

• Miesha Tate vs. Marion Reneau

On March 24, 2021, Tate announced she would be returning to compete in MMA against Marion Reneau on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés.

She won the fight via third-round TKO.

This win earned her the second Performance of the Night award in her UFC career.