Miesha Tate is at peace with herself.
At 37 years old, the women’s MMA pioneer has had quite the career from winning the UFC Bantamweight title in 2016 to coming out of retirement in hopes of another title run. While Tate has been unsuccessful against contenders such as Ketlen Viera and Lauren Murphy in her last two outings, the flame has not yet died out for the former champ.
‘Cupcake’ Wants To Give It Her All In Austin
Tate will try to get back in the win column against Julia Avila at UFC Austin this weekend. Ahead of the fight, Tate brings in a whole new perspective.
“My goal is not to give up on myself or quit on myself before the time for change is actually here,” Tate said at UFC Austin media day. “A lot of people will look at my record and say, ‘Oh, she lost her last 2,’ and ‘she’s probably she should retire’. I hear these words, and I just want to throw it out there to anybody, never to quit on themselves based on what other people say and never too early. Really give it your all. So, that’s what I’m here to do.
“I don’t know if that looks like any specific thing, it’s just it feels right to be here right now. It feels like this is what I’m meant to do. This is what I want to be doing. So, I think when all those things come together and you know that it’s right, then it’s right.”
Tate Admits That Her Fighting Days Are Almost Over
All systems are a go for Tate in ‘The Lone Star State’, but it’s no secret that the clock is winding down on her career. Uncertain on where this fight will take her, Tate acknowledges the fact that this walk to the Octagon might be her last.
“At some point, this chapter is gonna close,” Tate continued. “I certainly think I’m much closer to the end of it than I ever have been before. But, it didn’t stop with my last fight and I don’t know if it’ll stop with this fight. I mean, I really feel like at any fight at any point could be my final fight.”
‘I’m Okay With That Because…’
Tate has come to terms with the possibility of her retirement, which would be the second time of her career.
“I’m okay with that because I’ve built an emperor worthy life that I feel like these wins and losses don’t define me anymore. It’s not just everything like it used to be. Don’t take that the wrong way. I have worked my butt off for this camp, and I wanna win this fight more than anything. I’ve worked so hard, and I’ve sacrificed [so much]. I’ve loved the process and I wanna win. I really believe that I’m going to.
“But, again, I’m much more effort based than ever before. If I win on Saturday, that’s what I feel like it’s meant to be. But if I didn’t, guess what? I wake up on Sunday. My kids are still gonna be kissing me. My fiance is still gonna be there. My parents are here. Like, we’re gonna go enjoy Austin, Texas. So, I guess having that mental and emotional flexibility as an athlete gives me a unique and freeing perspective on being able to go in and just have fun.”
