UFC 205: Miesha Tate announces retirement following loss to Raquel Pennington
Miesha Tate wanted to show she still was among the UFC’s best bantamweights and deserving of a title shot at UFC 205 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Instead, she fought for the final time.
Tate announced her retirement following her unanimous decision loss to Raquel Pennington in the first fight of the main card at UFC 205.
“I’ve been doing this for over a decade,” Tate said. “Thank you so much for being here, I love this sport forever, but it’s not my time any more. It’s the future’s time.”
UFC president Dana White said the announcement took him by surprise.
“No I didn’t see the Miesha Tate thing coming, but it makes sense,” White said. “Miesha has been so tough and durable…she’s been in this for a long time.”
Pennington started strong, landing her jab and causing some redness on Tate’s face within the first minute. Tate was able to get the fight to the fence and work a takedown, but Pennington was able to turn her around and secure a standing choke. Tate nearly flipped herself off the cage to escape, eventually getting the fight back to the cage and taking Pennington to the canvas. Pennington was able to get back to her feet, but Tate worked to take her back while standing, eventually getting the action back to the ground as time expired.
In the second, Pennington continued to control the striking exchanges early, before it became a clinch battle. Tate seemed to have the advantage, but Pennington quickly changed that, using strong head position to take control and land plenty of clinch strikes.
When the third round began, Tate tried to pull guard and bring Pennington to the ground, looking for a submission victory, but Pennington was able to land some punches and eventually take a dominant ground position. Tate later tried for a leg lock, but again Pennington escaped. With 30 seconds remaining, it was Pennington bringing Tate to the ground to clinch the victory.
“I knew I had to go out there and take care of business tonight,” Pennington said. “I feel like a lot of people underestimate my ground game, but I am a grappler at heart and I feel my most comfortable there so her submission attempts didn’t feel threatening."
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