Can Miesha Tate Dethrone the Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes?

Published 07/18/2021, 3:38 PM EDT

Former UFC and Strikeforce bantamweight champion Miesha Tate made her successful return to the ring as she defeated Marion Reneau in the co-main event at UFC Vegas 31. The American put up a masterclass en route to her TKO win over Reneau in 3rd round.

Many expected her to show some ring rust and stiff movements after such a long period. But the ‘Cupcake’ quashed everybody’s concerns, as she made it feel like she never left. Reneau, one of the top 15 fighters in the division, looked blown away by the assault of Tate.

According to Tate, this is just the starting of a long-term goal for her. And her long-term goal happens to be clinching the bantamweight gold. The same gold which now resides on the shoulder of the ‘Lioness’ Amanda Nunes.

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When we talk about Nunes, we talk about perhaps the greatest women MMA fighter of all time. The Brazilian native has been one of the most dominant champions in the entire UFC history.

It is also a notable fact that she became the bantamweight champion after beating ‘Cupcake’ itself at UFC 200. Nobody has been able to challenge her supremacy, not even a gladiator-like Valentina Shevchenko. The latter fought her on two separate occasions but came short both times.

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Perhaps the greatest opponent for Tate has to be Ronda Rousey. The latter decimated her in the two matches they fought. And if we want to measure the depth of Nunes’s power, she decimated Rousey, who had previously decimated Tate.

So, it won’t be a simple task for ‘Cupcake’ to finish Nunes, provided they meet inside the octagon again someday.

Recent comments of Miesha Tate on Amanda Nunes

Nunes is currently gearing up for her match with Julianna Pena at UFC 265. The ‘Lioness’ will defend her bantamweight gold in a match that many bet on her to win.

Tate, in a recent interview given to MMA Fighting, described what she is feeling about the match. She also boldly claimed she would finish Nunes if Pena doesn’t.

“I’m excited for her and I want her to do it,” Tate said. “But if she doesn’t do it, I believe I will. It’s a tall order. I know. A lot of people think I’m delusional, I know. I know I’m crazy but everyone thought I was crazy before.”

She further added, “I was the underdog going in against Holly and look you’ve got to dream big. If you’re not dreaming big, then you’re cheating yourself.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Top 5 best fights in the history of UFC women’s division.

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As far as matchups go, it’s still quite early to predict when the rematch takes place. But after everything is said and done, it still will be a herculean task for Tate to stand up to Amanda, let alone defeat her.

Can Tate stop the ‘Lioness’ next time?

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Written by:

Akshyay Mahapatra is a UFC author for EssentiallySports. He wished to combine his passion for the UFC (that he has been following since 2008) as well as his love for writing. This motivated him to enter the world of combat sports journalism.

Can Miesha Tate Dethrone the Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes?

Recent comments of Miesha Tate on Amanda Nunes

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