UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate has had her share of downs and one unforgettable moment happened nine years ago.
Miesha Tate’s was up against Kaitlin Young during the semifinal stages of the Bodog’s HOOKnSHOOT women’s Grand Prix back in 2007.
According to the Examiner, Miesha Tate did not have a full camp to prepare for the event since it was a one-night, single-elimination match.
After defeating Jan Finney earlier that night, “Cupcake” advanced to the second round against Young and suffered a first-round knockout loss caused by a vicious kick to the head.
Here is a footage of that fight.
Miesha Tate admits that it was one of the matches that broke her though she took it in a positive light. Rather than sulk and feel sorry for herself, “Cupcake” would take some time off (six months) to regroup and improve on her skills.
The time off did benefit Miesha Tate, seeing her win 11 of her next 12 bouts. That included copping the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight title as reported by MMA Junkie.
An Indirect Swipe at Ronda Rousey?
Reflecting on that dark part of her UFC career, critics believe that the share was something aimed at rival Ronda Rousey.
Ronda Rousey is still a no-show in the UFC scene following her shocking loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193 back in November.
Rousey had not tasted defeat until that vicious head kick by Holm in the second round. Since then, the former UFC women’s bantamweight has been out of the picture despite word that she will make her return sometime in 2016 against whoever stands as the UFC women’s bantamweight champion.
Tate Needs To Overcome Amanda Nunes First
A possible third encounter between Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey could materialize but only if “Cupcake” is able to fend off the challenge by Amanda Nunes.
Tate and Nunes are scheduled to face off at UFC 200 next month. A victory by Tate could set the stage for a third fight against Rousey, someone who she has not yet defeated.
Tate and Rousey met twice in the past with the latter victorious on both occasions. The only bragging right that “Cupcake” had was that she was the only female fighter to last longer than one round against “Rowdy” before Holm improved on that with the second round KO at UFC 193.