Former UFC champion Miesha Tate is gearing up for her comeback fight in May, aiming not only to defeat Yana Santos but also to make a strong push for another UFC title shot before she retires.
Tate, already a celebrated figure in women`s MMA, took a break from competition in 2024 due to various factors, including injuries, motherhood, and business ventures. However, she assures fans she`s returning with renewed determination, hoping that another victory will bring her closer to challenging for the title.
“My ideal scenario is to win my upcoming fight, secure another win, and then be in a position to challenge for the title,” Tate stated. “I want to make this happen quickly because I feel like my time in the sport is valuable, and I want to maximize it this year. This year feels crucial for me to either make significant progress towards the title or not.”
Currently, the path to the UFC bantamweight title likely goes through Julianna Pena, who recently regained the championship. Pena is expected to defend her title against Kayla Harrison, although the fight date is still to be determined.
Tate and Pena share a long-standing friendship and have trained together for many years, even appearing on The Ultimate Fighter together, where Tate coached Pena and selected her as her top pick.
Because of their deep connection, Tate acknowledges that it would be emotionally challenging to earn a title shot only to potentially face Pena for the championship.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that while fighting Harrison might avoid a clash with Pena, Tate would never want to see Pena lose.
“Ideally, I don’t want to fight Julie for the title because we are friends with a significant history, and I have immense respect and affection for her,” Tate explained. “She supported me greatly early in my career. I’m incredibly thankful for her contributions.”
“So, I want her to win against Kayla, but I also want to fight for the title, and I don’t want to fight Julie. It`s a difficult situation with no perfect outcome. I’m leaving it to fate to see how things unfold.”
Despite her reluctance to fight Pena, Tate maintains the same stance she held as champion in 2016: she wouldn`t prevent anyone, including Pena, from pursuing their title dreams.
“I made it clear to her that I would never stand in her way of getting a title shot,” Tate recalled about a past conversation with Pena. “The title is the ultimate goal, and it’s not personal.”
“I hope she would understand that it’s not personal if we were to fight. It’s about our individual dreams and aspirations. Would I fight Julie for the title? Yes, if that’s the only way it can happen.”
Tate’s immediate focus is on her fight against Santos on May 3rd, while Pena is expected to face Harrison sometime in the future.
Regarding the potential Pena vs. Harrison matchup, Tate recognizes Harrison’s hype but believes Pena is underestimated. She emphasizes Pena`s strength, resilience, and unorthodox fighting style, which could surprise Harrison.
“I think Julie is much better than people realize,” Tate commented. “People on the sidelines don`t understand the power behind her strikes and her incredible tenacity. Her style might look awkward, but that makes her even harder to fight. Her strikes are not always conventional, but they are incredibly impactful. It`s like being hit by a truck. I think that could really catch Kayla off guard.”
Tate acknowledges Harrison’s strong judo skills as a path to victory but believes Pena’s toughness and ability to fight in close quarters shouldn`t be underestimated.
“Kayla has an amazing skill set, and she deserves her position,” Tate said. “But if it comes down to a brawl, I know Julie won`t back down. If Kayla can take Julie down, she has a path to victory. But I don`t think Kayla will win on the feet. And even on the ground, Julie is incredibly tough, with great reversals. Don`t be surprised if Julie ends up on top, which would be a nightmare for Kayla.”
“Julie is incredibly resilient, and she can absorb a lot of damage. We saw that in her fight with Amanda Nunes. You practically have to finish Julianna to win. That’s how tough she is.”
