'I think that women in the division, they're gonna be gunning for me - just as much as they're gunning for Amanda.'

'I think I can get the division spiced up a little bit,' Tate said. Nunes has been the UFC women's bantamweight champion since she choked out Tate to win the belt at UFC 200 in July 2016. The goals Tate has for next year are lofty ones: a title shot against Amanda Nunes, a title defense against former champion Holly Holm and a dream third fight against her heated rival, Ronda Rousey. Play for a chance to win a streaming of UFC 280 for FREE! Make Your Picks Tate, 35, is hoping a rehauled training regimen and renewed mindset will help vault her into a historic 2022. On Saturday, Tate will take the next step on her comeback tour against Ketlen Vieira in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas (3 p.m. 'Cupcake,' one of the most popular women to ever set foot in the cage, was back. Tate won by third-round TKO - her first knockout in the UFC. Tate said that White was hesitant at first, but a few weeks later she was booked for a return bout against Marion Reneau.

This time, he had no choice but to listen to her pitch. She showed up unannounced to White's office. And in early 2021, Tate took things a step further with the UFC. Tate returned to Vegas with Daxton and their daughter, Amaia, that September. Subscribe to ESPN+ to get exclusive live UFC events, weigh-ins and more Dana White's Contender Series and more exclusive MMA content.ĭespite the lack of communication from White, Tate and Nunez went forward with their move back to the United States. Miesha Tate, the former women's bantamweight champion, looks to get back to the top 10 when she faces Ketlen Vieira, ranked eighth by ESPN. 'He totally ghosted me,' Tate said with a laugh.

With those thoughts in mind, Tate sent White a message on Instagram asking what the UFC boss thought about her - the former UFC women's bantamweight champion - returning to competition for the first time since 2016. But COVID-19 restrictions were making things difficult for the young family and they were planning on moving back home to Las Vegas. Tate was working in an office role for Asia-based One Championship, and Nunez was fighting for that MMA promotion. Tate and her husband, Johnny Nunez, had just had their second child, Daxton, and Tate was contemplating a comeback to the Octagon.Īt the time, Tate and Nunez were living in Singapore. Miesha Tate reached out to UFC president Dana White in the summer of 2020. Marc Raimondi, ESPN Staff Writer Nov 17, 2021, 08:00 AM ET

Best Shot by Camellia Tate