Miesha Tate - Multi-Talented MMA Fighter

Miesha Tate is known for her dynamic and awe-inspiring fighting style, which has earned her the reputation of an emerging grappler in the world of mixed martial arts. Her skills in grappling arts, including wrestling and submission defense, have made her a dominant figure in the octagon.

Miesha Tate's life journey started in the suburbs of Tacoma, Washington. She was born to Michelle Tate and Robert Schmidt on 18th August 1986. Miesha Tate grew up as a tomboy and spent much of her childhood playing football with the boys in her neighborhood.

To continue the studies she enrolled in the well-known Franklin Pierce High School. Apart from the curricular activities, Franklin High school paid full attention to the co-curricular activities of its students. Such an appreciated and growing environment during her teens helped Miesha to discover her passion for wrestling.

During her early years of graduation, Meisha Tate joined the boy's wrestling team in her high school and quickly realized that she had a lot to learn. Initially, Wrestling classes in her high school proved an uphill journey for her. She recalled getting "Her butt kicked pretty hard for the first few weeks" and feeling like a "fish out of water."

However, Tate persisted and trained hard like a passionate grappler and eventually became a skilled wrestler. She continued her training along with her studies to compete on the national and international levels.

In 2005, when Tate’s almost ready to receive her degree from high school. She got the chance to compete in the girls’ state championship and eventually, she emerged victorious and won the title. This early success gave her the confidence to pursue her passion for wrestling.

After high school, Tate attended Central Washington University, where a friend who was training invited her to join the mixed martial arts club. Tate decided to join the MMA classes along with her friend. This decision of Tate proved a turning point in her grappling journey. The excellent learning environment stimulated her passion for martial arts, and she began to pursue it seriously. Miesha Tate had a successful amateur record (5-1)  before transitioning to the professional ranks.

Tate professionally started her MMA career in 2007 when she made her professional debut in a local MMA event (one-Night HOOKnSHOOT Women’s Grand Prix). She won her first fight by a unanimous decision, setting the stage for a successful career. Over the next few years, Tate competed in several MMA organizations, including FCF (Freestyle Cage Fighting), CageSport MMA, and Atlas Fights.

On 27th June 2008, Miesha Tate stepped into the Strikeforce cage for the first time, marking her debut in one of the most prominent mixed martial arts promotions in the world. Strikeforce was known for televising their bouts on major networks like CBS and showtime, which play a major role in the worldly recognition of MMA's rising star, Miesha Tate.

Tate's Strikeforce debut was a defining moment in her career, showcasing her talent and determination to succeed in one of the most competitive arenas in the world of MMA.

The successful MMA debut of Tate urged her to explore all avenues. On 4th April 2009, Miesha Tate won her first MMA title after securing a winning spot in the FCF women’s bantamweight division against Liz Carreiro.

Miesha Tate's journey to become the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion was nothing short of impressive. After successfully defending her FCF title against Valerie Coolbaugh in January 2010, Tate returned to Strikeforce with a winning streak of three consecutive fights. However, her victory in the final round of the fight would earn her the title of Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion.

After winning the strikeforce title, Miesha Tate defended her title on 30th July 2011 by faceing  Marloes Coenen on the mat. In a historic victory, Tate submitted Coenen, becoming the new Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion and the first grappler to submit Marloes Coenen on the podium. This victory of Tate proved to be a match point in her career.

Miesha Tate's astonishing performance in 2011 earned her the coveted title of the female fighter of the year.

On 18th August 2012, Miesha Tate stepped into the cage for her final fight in Strikeforce. It was a chance for Tate to prove once again that she was one of the best grapplers. Tate faced the highly experienced Julie Kedzie in her final Strikeforce bout and won the fight in the third round with her devastating armbar. 

After the dissolution of Strikeforce in 2013, Miesha Tate found herself with a new challenge ahead of her. She joined the UFC in February 2013, and her debut was highly anticipated. Tate faced Cat Zingano in her first UFC fight at The Ultimate Fighter 17 finale on 13th April. The stakes were high, as the winner of the bout would earn a title shot against reigning champion Ronda Rousey.

Tate started the fight with full zest and zeal, winning the first two rounds against Zingano. But in the final round, she was defeated by TKO. Despite the loss, Tate's fortunes would soon change. Zingano had to withdraw from the title bout against Rousey due to a knee injury, and Tate was given the opportunity by UFC to step in.

Meisha Tate and Rousey faced each other on December 28, 2013, at UFC 168 podium. It was a highly anticipated rematch between two of the top female MMA fighters. But unfortunately for Tate, Rousey submitted Tate in the third round with her signature armbar, leaving Tate devastated.

Miesha Tate's appearances in various multimedia formats have greatly contributed to her popularity and recognition as a notable figure in the world of mixed martial arts. One of her most noteworthy appearances was in the 2013 documentary Fight Life by Z. Feng, which showcased the inner workings of the MMA world. This appearance propelled her popularity, and she was later featured as a playable character in the popular video game EA Sports UFC. Additionally, Tate was also cast in the feature film Fight Valley, where she played a character competing in an underground fight club. Her attractive personality and growing fan base earned her the title of "the most beautiful woman in MMA" by the Fitness Gurls magazine.

Miesha Tate's talent and success inside the octagon, coupled with her widespread popularity, have earned her several sponsorship offers. In 2014, Tate joined Kevin Harvick's KHI Management company by NASCAR, becoming the second MMA fighter to do so after Donald Cerrone. Her affiliation with the renowned company has led to several lucrative sponsorship deals with major brands such as Budweiser.

In March 2016 the annals of UFC history between Miesha Tate and Holly Holm showed the  unwavering commitment and tireless effort of Miesha Tate. Meisha earned the coveted title of UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion by winning the championship.

This success not only solidified Tate's place as a dominant force in Martial Arts but also garnered her a well-deserved Performance of the Night bonus award, a testament to her incredible skill and unmatched determination on the mat.

Miesha Tate's career in mixed martial arts came to an end in 2016 after she announced her retirement following her bout with Raquel Pennington at UFC 205. Tate's career lasted for almost a decade and during this time, she achieved many great feats, including winning the Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship and the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship and many more.

Despite losing her first title defense to Amanda Nunes at UFC 200, Tate's contribution to the sport cannot be denied. Her determination and resilience are qualities that young female fighters can look up to and aspire to emulate. In her retirement announcement, Tate expressed her gratitude to her fans and the sport of MMA, which had given her so much love and fame.

After her retirement, Meisha Tate joined the Fox Sports team as a UFC analyst, bringing her expertise and unique perspective to the desk.

In 2016, Tate took on various roles in the industry, including working as a commentator and co-hosting a radio show. However, her passion for fighting never waned, leading her to join the ONE Championship in 2018 as a vice president.

Miesha Tate often used to share her personal opinions and experiences in her weekly column,

Through engaging writing style, Miesha brings her everyday life to life for readers, providing insights into her championships, personal life, goals, and triumphs. Miesha's unique perspective and captivating storytelling make each installment of her column a joy to read.

Miesha Tate's return to the UFC in 2021 marked an exciting moment for fans of mixed martial arts. Her victory against Marion Reneau at UFC on ESPN demonstrated that she still had the skills to compete at the highest level. Despite being out of the game for years, Tate's talent and dedication were evident in her dominant performance, which earned her the Performance of the Night Award for the second time in her career.

Unfortunately, Tate's journey back to the octagon hit an obstacle when she tested positive for COVID-19, forcing her to withdraw from her scheduled fight against Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 195. However, Tate remained determined to compete, and the fight was eventually rescheduled for November 20, 2021. Despite putting up a tough fight, Tate was unable to secure a victory against Vieira and lost via unanimous decision. Regardless of the outcome of her most recent fight, Tate's return to the sport she loves has inspired her fans and young grapplers.

In 2021, Tate co-hosted the show “Throwing Down with Renee and Miesha” on Sirius XM, which covers a wide range of sports-related topics. Her appearances in various multimedia formats and sponsorship deals demonstrate her significant influence beyond the realm of fighting, making her a true icon in the MMA community.

Tate won the third season of the renowned television series “Celebrity Big Brother” in 2022, further cementing her status as a well-known Sports Star and Esteemed Media Personality.

After taking a break from MMA and returning in 2021, Miesha Tate made the decision to move to the flyweight division. Her first scheduled flyweight bout was set against Lauren Murphy on 14th May 2022. Unfortunately, a week before the event, Murphy tested positive for COVID-19 and had to withdraw from the bout.

The UFC fight was then rescheduled for 16th July 2022. Meisha Tate lost her flyweight bout despite putting up a tough fight. Against all odds, Miesha Tate never let disappointment get in the way of her grappling endeavors, instead, she remained motivated and persevered through any setbacks that came her way.

Former UFC and Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate will return to her original weight class after her flyweight debut. She will face Mayra Bueno Silva, a Brazilian fighter who has won five of her eight UFC bouts, at a UFC Fight Night event on 3rd June 2023.

As of March 21th, 2023, the formidable Miesha Tate claimed her spot as #11 in the fiercely competitive UFC Women's Bantamweight rankings, solidifying her status as a true force to be reckoned with in the octagon.

During her career, Tate faced some of the biggest names in women's mixed martial arts, including Ronda Rousey, Marion Reneau, and Holly Holm. She also established herself as one of the most respected and beloved figures in the sport, known for her tenacity, technical grip on grappling techniques, and above all the ability to come back from adversity.

Miesha Tate's fighting style is truly dynamic, and her grappling arts are a standout feature of her approach. Her expertise in wrestling and submission defense has earned her a reputation as a formidable opponent. Her early nickname "Takedown" speaks to her ability to execute double-leg takedowns with precision and power. Her ability to control the opponents against the cage and take them down with ease was a dominant feature of her earlier fights.

Tate's training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu allowed her to become a true threat on the ground. Her ability to attack from side control and secure a body triangle from a rear position was a testament to her technical proficiency. She has the ability to employ various techniques including left jabs, knees from a clinch, right crosses, left hooks, and overhand right strikes. 

Furthermore, Miesha Tate's fighting style is a masterful combination of technique, skill, and power. Her skills in grappling arts, including wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, have made her a dominant figure in the octagon. Her striking abilities were impressive, but it was her ground game that truly set her apart from her opponents. Tate's fighting style has made her a true inspiration to any aspiring MMA fighter and earned her the name of the "Queen of Ground and Pound."

The highly anticipated bantamweight bout between UFC fighters Miesha Tate and Marion Reneau took place in 2021, and fans were treated to a thrilling grappling showcase. Both fighters utilized their grappling skills to try to take down their opponent, but it was Miesha who came out on top from the get-go.

Despite Marion's strong defensive position, Miesha persevered and managed to control her opponent with a powerful elbow takedown. In the second round, Miesha continued to dominate, pushing Marion around the octagon before ultimately landing a series of devastating punches that led to a knockout victory.

The fight was proof of Miesha's outstanding grappling skill and determination, and her impressive performance earned her the win in the third round. This bout showcased the intense physical and mental strength required to compete in the UFC, and fans were standing on the edges of their seats throughout the match. Overall, it was a memorable moment in UFC history and a true testament to the power of the incredible athletes.

The electrifying match between Holly Holm and Miesha Tate was a fight between two fierce and determined female fighters of MMA. Holly, who was known for her phenomenal kickboxing skills, started the fight with a flurry of aggressive kicks. She even landed a powerful punch on Miesha's Jaw bone that left her stunned for a moment. However, Miesha, being a reckless fighter, didn't let this setback affect her and came back with full force.

Miesha, a skilled grappler, quickly took control of the fight by executing an incredible takedown on Holly. Holly Holm, in an attempt to regain control, went for a full guard and tried to control Miesha's leg, but Miesha wasn't ready to give up her dominant position. She took Holly near the octagon and used the cage to control her, using her powerful elbows to keep her opponent at bay.

In the third and final round, Miesha continued to maintain her dominance over Holly. However,  Holly, who was trying to take down and pass Miesha's guard, could not match her opponent's grappling skills. Miesha, using her remarkable technique, controlled Holly in a rear naked choke (RNC) and forced her to submit.

It was a thrilling match between Juile Kedzie and Miesha Tate, two of the best MMA fighters in the women’s division. The fight started with Miesha Tate landing some powerful punches on Julie Kedzie, who countered with her own striking and wrestling skills. Julie Kedzie stunned Miesha Tate with a head kick that pushed her to the canvas.

The crowd was excited to watch the two fighters exchange blows and submission attempts. In the final round, Miesha Tate showed her heart and determination by locking in an armbar on Julie Kedzie, who had no choice but to tap out. It was a remarkable comeback and a memorable fight for both fighters.

• 4x Longest Active Win Streak in UFC WBW Division
• Most Wins in UFC (x10)
• Most Takedown in UFC (x25)
• Champion of 2005 Washington State High School Wrestling Championship
• Silver Medalist of 2008 FILA Worlds Grappling Championship
• World Team Trial National Grappling Champion of 2008
• Silver Medalist of World Team Trials 2009

Miesha Tate vs Marloes Coenen

Miesha Tate vs Kaitlin Young

Miesha Tate vs Ronda Rousey 1 - FULL FIGHT

Photo Credit: @mieshatate