Miesha Tate isn’t shy about her thoughts on Amanda Nunes retiring from pro MMA competition.
Nunes had her final MMA bout last month against Irene Aldana. This was another dominant showing in the future UFC Hall of Famer’s legendary career. “The Lioness” won the fight via unanimous decision to successfully retain the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship. After the fight, Nunes announced her retirement.
#OnThisDay in 2016: Amanda Nunes and Miesha Tate were the main event on a historic card at UFC 200!
📺 Watch in full on @UFCFightPass now! pic.twitter.com/5DWLibaP19
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 9, 2023
Miesha Tate Reacts To Amanda Nunes Retirement
Speaking to reporters backstage at the UFC Hall of Fame, Miesha Tate discussed Nunes’ exit and admitted that it gives the women’s bantamweight division new life.
“There’s no way any of us were beating her,” Tate said. “So, thank God because now the division is wide open, and I believe I’m one fight away. I know that probably sounds wild to some people, like, ‘Wait a minute,’ but if you think about since my return I had a really dominant finish win, and then I had a very close decision loss to a top five girl in Ketlen Vieira. So, although I haven’t been super active I still think with a bang of a comeback at 135 against a top quality opponent, at least my name could be dropped in the bucket. Not saying that I would be picked for sure, but I’d like to at least be talked about and be contentious.”
Tate initially retired back in 2016, but had a successful return fight against Marion Reneau in 2021. Tate has lost her last two fights, which were against Lauren Murphy at flyweight and Ketlen Vieira. “Cupcake” has gone 1-4 in her last five outings, but she’s hoping her past experience with championship gold can shine through and eventually help her reclaim the top spot at 135 pounds.
Time will tell if Tate can return to past glory and eventually become a two-time UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
