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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 5: Miesha Tate prior to her bout against UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm during UFC 196 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 5: Miesha Tate prior to her bout against UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm during UFC 196 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Former women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate took on top ten contender Ketlen Vieira in the main event at UFC Fight Night 198. This was her second fight back in the UFC; since she declared her retirement in 2016. The fight went five rounds and was an extremely impressive showing for both fighters. Both Miesha and Vieira displayed crisp striking on the feet, but in the end, Vieira edged out the fight in the final round on the judges’ scorecards.
After the fight, ‘Cupcake‘ took to Instagram to share her thoughts.
She wrote, “PERSPECTIVE IS KEY! 16 months ago this was me, birthing my 2nd child at home. Slide to the right and this was me on Saturday night fighting in the UFC main event for 5 rounds against a top 10 bantamweight & amazing woman @ketlenvieiraufc! I am not sad. For the first time in my career I went toe to toe for nearly all 25 minutes.”
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Miesha Tate continued, “I wasn’t desperate for takedowns like before. I lost the decision but I did things I’ve never done & I believe I showed a big improvement in my striking game. I think it was a close fight, I tried to push the action and I took damage for it in the later rounds but I don’t regret any of it!”
Many outstanding fighters have said that fighting MMA allows one to experience the highest highs and the lowest lows. However, after the fight, Miesha didn’t seem down and out. She seemed to be able to put things in perspective, saying, “I had fun. That’s the number one priority.”
Read more:- Ketlen Vieira Was Emotional After Her Win Over Miesha Tate and Kept Saying “I’m Sorry”
Hence, it seems as though she will return to the cage in 2022.
What is next for Miesha Tate?
Even though she lost, Tate put on a fantastic performance at the Apex. She displayed new and improved striking skills, a formidable gas tank to go all five rounds, and, of course, incredible grit and determination to win.
Many believe that she is still just a few fights away from challenging the champ, Amanda Nunes. The two had previously fought at UFC 200, where ‘The Lioness’ won by submission.
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As for Miesha Tate’s next fight, a potential rematch between her and Holly Holm would be an intriguing clash of former champions. Given the rankings, the UFC could set up an intriguing rematch between Tate (#8 in the rankings) and Raquel Pennington (#9).
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Other potentially intriguing fights for her include Aspen Ladd and Yana Kunitskaya, both of whom are formidable opponents coming off losses and ahead of Tate in the rankings.
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