Miesha Tate almost won her last fight in the way she won the UFC title.
On Saturday, the former UFC and Strikeforce Bantamweight Champion returned to the Octagon after 500 days away from her last victory over Julia Avila at UFC Austin.
In her newest fight, Miesha Tate would meet a Game Top-10 Competent and former title finer in Yana Santos on the Prelim headliner of UFC des Moines.
At the age of 38, Tate continues to test itself against the best division of 135 pounds that have more than a decade to offer after her title rematch with the legendary rival Ronda Rousey and her iconic title victory in Holly Holm.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Miesha Tate suffered a leg kick clinic against Yana Santos
In an attempt to break into the top 10 of the weight class she once ruled, Tate came with punches from the public seconds in the first seconds. Tate walked forward and made it a dog fight.
After the exchange, Santos found her foot in the striking department, setting up her puncture and used her footwork well, a moving target for 'cupcake'.
Santos landed a powerful leg kick on Tate who caught her attention. Santos continued to pick to Tate's legs with the former champion who stumbled in round 1 and 2.
In the first 10 minutes of action, Tate would eat quite a few bumps from Santos and be illuminated by Jabs with her legs wobbly under her.
Miesha Tate hunted a late entry as she did against Holly Holm
Down two rounds, the 30-Fight MMA veteran was far from outside.
Tate conquered a leg kick clinic to secure a Takedown for more than a minute in the final round with the roar of the crowd that supports her play.
Tate would have 3:30 to work and ultimately guarantee the control of Santos where she looked to secure a second-one choke in the last part in the fight-of-fight?
In 2015, Tate Ronda Rousey Slayer Holly Holm tapped in the fifth round to win the UFC title at UFC 196 in what was one of the biggest comebacks in the MMA history of women.
With another minute on the clock, the des moines welcomed for Tate while she did her best to sink in a chokehold. It was not easy, but Santos survived a late fear against Tate on her back, managed to get out of the round and to the jury's score cards.
All three judges gave the first two rounds for Santos, who won through a unanimous decision in a dream fight against a WMMA pioneer.