Miesha Tate accurately predicted a fighter’s retirement — but she was talking about the wrong former champion.
Earlier in the week, she suggested Ronda Rousey could call it quits if she lost her next fight. Though that still could happen, it was Tate hanging it up Saturday night, just two fights removed from winning the bantamweight world championship.
One of the sport’s biggest female stars — and one of its pioneers — called it a career Saturday night at UFC 205 at the Garden after a dismal loss to Raquel Pennington, her second straight defeat.
Pennington (9-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC), who actually was coached by Tate on the “The Ultimate Fighter 18” show, won in a unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, and afterward, Tate made the announcement.
“I’ll love this sport forever, but this isn’t my time anymore,” said Tate, who along with Rousey is the only woman to have held a title in Strikeforce and UFC. “It’s the future’s time.”
She promptly received a standing ovation from the crowd. Asked the reason for calling it quits at the age of 30, Tate said, “Because of the result. I just had a lot more to give and I couldn’t pull it out of myself. It’s been a long time. I’ve taken a lot of punishment. I love you guys, but this is it for me.”
Tate (18-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC) began fighting in mixed martial arts in 2007 and competed against many of the sport’s big stars. She became a Strikeforce champion in 2011 and defeated Holly Holm last March to become a UFC champ. She is best known for her rivalry with Rousey, the two having fought twice, in UFC and Strikeforce, with Rousey submitting Tate each time. Her biggest moment was the championship victory over Holly Holm, who had just handed Rousey her first and only defeat. But Tate lost her first title defense against Amanda Nunes in July at UFC 200, losing via submission.
Before the fight, Tate talked about not being sure Rousey still had the same will to fight after not having entered the octagon in a year, after her knockout loss to Holm. But it was Tate who looked sluggish against Pennington, struggling against her striking ability and unable to get her on the ground, Tate’s forte.
As for Rousey, she will look to get her bantamweight title back at UFC 207 on Dec. 30 against Nunes. Or, as Tate predicted, she may join her in retirement in a little over a month.