Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Miesha Tate

How Miesha Tate built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Miesha Tate is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the UFC's women's Bantamweight division. A former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, she also held the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship. Additionally, Tate served as the vice president of ONE Championship. As of April 2025, she is ranked #12 in the UFC women's bantamweight division, showcasing her continued presence in the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2005: State Championship Title

In 2005, during her senior year at Franklin Pierce High School, Miesha Tate competed in the girls' state championship for wrestling and won the title.

March 2006: First Amateur Bout

In March 2006, Miesha Tate accepted her first amateur MMA bout against Elizabeth Posener. Posener bloodied Tate, but Tate responded by whaling down punches. Tate's corner ended the bout after the second round due to the injury she had sustained.

November 2007: Professional MMA Debut

In November 2007, Miesha Tate made her professional MMA debut at the HOOKnSHOOT Women's Grand Prix, defeating Jan Finney by decision but losing to Kaitlin Young later that night.

June 27, 2008: Strikeforce Debut

On June 27, 2008, Miesha Tate debuted in Strikeforce, defeating Elaina Maxwell by unanimous decision at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Thomson.

2008: Fights in Small Organizations

Throughout 2008, Miesha Tate fought in several small organizations which did not regularly televise fights.

April 4, 2009: FCF Women's Bantamweight Championship

On April 4, 2009, Miesha Tate captured the 135-pound FCF Women's Bantamweight Championship by defeating Liz Carreiro at Freestyle Cage Fighting 30.

April 2009: Won FCF Title

In April 2009, Miesha Tate won the FCF title.

May 15, 2009: Strikeforce Challengers Fight

On May 15, 2009, Miesha Tate fought Sarah Kaufman at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina and was defeated by unanimous decision.

2009: Fights in Small Organizations

Throughout 2009, Miesha Tate fought in several small organizations which did not regularly televise fights.

January 2010: FCF Title Defense

In January 2010, Miesha Tate defended her FCF title.

March 26, 2010: Strikeforce Challengers Fight

On March 26, 2010, Miesha Tate faced Zoila Gurgel at Strikeforce Challengers: Johnson vs. Mahe and won by armbar submission in the second round.

August 13, 2010: Strikeforce Tournament Champion

On August 13, 2010, Miesha Tate won the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Tournament at Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor, defeating Maiju Kujala and Hitomi Akano.

March 5, 2011: Strikeforce Fight Cancelled

On March 5, 2011, Miesha Tate was scheduled to challenge Marloes Coenen for the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship, but withdrew due to a knee injury.

July 2011: Wins Strikeforce Bantamweight Championship

In July 2011, Miesha Tate won the Strikeforce Bantamweight Championship, becoming the first woman to submit Marloes Coenen in an MMA bout.

July 30, 2011: Strikeforce Bantamweight Champion

On July 30, 2011, Miesha Tate defeated Marloes Coenen via submission at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson to become the new Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion.

2011: Rousey MMA Debut

In early 2011, Ronda Rousey had made her MMA debut, defeating all four of her opponents by first-round armbar submission.

March 3, 2012: Loss of Strikeforce Title

On March 3, 2012, Miesha Tate lost her Strikeforce title to Ronda Rousey at a Strikeforce show, submitting to an armbar near the end of the first round. This marked a rare instance of women headlining an MMA card.

March 2012: Rousey recognizes Tate's ground skills

Following their first bout in March 2012, Ronda Rousey described Miesha Tate as "much more savvy on the ground than I anticipated."

August 18, 2012: Strikeforce Fight

On August 18, 2012, Miesha Tate faced Julie Kedzie at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman, winning by armbar in the third round.

2012: Recollection of First Fight

In 2012, Miesha Tate reflected on her first fight, realizing it wasn't just a wrestling match but a fight, and she fights harder when hurt.

February 2013: Joins UFC

In February 2013, Miesha Tate officially joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

December 28, 2013: UFC 168 Rematch

On December 28, 2013, Miesha Tate's rematch against Ronda Rousey occurred at UFC 168. Tate lost to an armbar in the third round, despite showing resilience.

2013: Appears in Fight Life documentary

In 2013, Miesha Tate appeared in the award-winning mixed martial arts documentary 'Fight Life', directed by James Z. Feng.

April 19, 2014: UFC Win

On April 19, 2014, Miesha Tate faced Liz Carmouche at UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne and won via unanimous decision, securing her first win in the UFC.

September 20, 2014: UFC Fight Night Win

On September 20, 2014, Miesha Tate faced Rin Nakai at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson and won via unanimous decision, making her 2–2 in the UFC.

2014: Joins KHI Management

In 2014, Miesha Tate became the second MMA fighter to join NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick's KHI Management company and gained sponsorship deals with NASCAR and Budweiser.

January 31, 2015: UFC 183 Victory

On January 31, 2015, Miesha Tate faced Sara McMann at UFC 183 and won the fight by majority decision. She out-grappled McMann.

March 20, 2015: Fight Announcement

On March 20, 2015, it was announced that Miesha Tate would face Jessica Eye on July 25, 2015, at UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barão 2.

July 25, 2015: UFC on Fox Win

On July 25, 2015, Miesha Tate faced Jessica Eye at UFC on Fox: Dillashaw vs. Barão 2 and won the fight by unanimous decision.

November 14, 2015: Holm Defeats Rousey

On November 14, 2015, Holly Holm defeated Ronda Rousey for the UFC Bantamweight Championship.

2015: Cast member of Fight Valley

In 2015, Miesha Tate was announced as a cast member of the feature film 'Fight Valley', which follows women competing in an underground fight club.

January 2016: Title Fight Announcement

In January 2016, the UFC announced that Miesha Tate would face Holly Holm for the title at UFC 196 on March 5, 2016.

March 5, 2016: UFC Bantamweight Champion

On March 5, 2016, Miesha Tate defeated Holly Holm via technical submission at UFC 196 to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion, also earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

July 9, 2016: Loss of UFC Title

On July 9, 2016, Miesha Tate lost her UFC Bantamweight title to Amanda Nunes at UFC 200 via a rear-naked choke in the first round.

September 5, 2016: Helps girl with broken arm

On September 5, 2016, Miesha Tate helped carry a six-year-old girl with a broken arm while hiking in Nevada.

November 12, 2016: Retirement Announcement

On November 12, 2016, Miesha Tate lost to Raquel Pennington at UFC 205 and announced her retirement from mixed martial arts.

December 11, 2016: Submission Underground Rematch

On December 11, 2016, Miesha Tate was scheduled to have a grappling-only rematch with Jessica Eye at a Submission Underground show.

November 7, 2018: Joins ONE Championship

On November 7, 2018, Miesha Tate joined ONE Championship as a Vice President.

March 24, 2021: Return to MMA

On March 24, 2021, Miesha Tate announced her return to MMA.

July 17, 2021: UFC Win and Performance of the Night

On July 17, 2021, Miesha Tate won her fight against Marion Reneau at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés via third round TKO, earning her second Performance of the Night award in her UFC career.

September 2021: Co-hosts Throwing Down With Renee and Miesha

As of September 2021, Miesha Tate co-hosts the show 'Throwing Down With Renee and Miesha' on Sirius XM with Renee Paquette.

October 16, 2021: Fight Pulled

On October 16, 2021, Miesha Tate was scheduled to face Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 195, but the bout was pulled after Tate tested positive for COVID-19.

November 20, 2021: UFC Fight Night Loss

On November 20, 2021, Miesha Tate faced Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 198 and lost the bout via unanimous decision.

2021: Leaves ONE Championship

In 2021, Miesha Tate left her job at ONE Championship to return to MMA competition.

May 14, 2022: Fight Moved

On May 14, 2022, Miesha Tate was originally scheduled to face Lauren Murphy at UFC on ESPN 36. However, the bout was moved to UFC 276 for unknown reasons.

July 16, 2022: UFC on ABC 3 Loss

On July 16, 2022, Miesha Tate faced Lauren Murphy at UFC on ABC 3 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

2022: Winner of Celebrity Big Brother

In 2022, Miesha Tate won the third season of Celebrity Big Brother, where she also won four Head of Household competitions.

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June 3, 2023: Scheduled UFC on ESPN 46 Fight

Miesha Tate was scheduled to face Mayra Bueno Silva on June 3, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 46.

December 2, 2023: UFC on ESPN 52 Win

On December 2, 2023, Miesha Tate faced Julia Avila at UFC on ESPN 52 and won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three, earning her the Performance of the Night award.