Miesha Tate Compares Women in MMA Past & Present

Miesha Tate, one of the top female MMA stars of all time, has recently been speaking about how women have been viewed in the mixed martial arts world in the past and how things have changed with time. And it’s fair to say she’s pleased with the progress that has been made.

If you roll back the years, it’s easy to find quotes from the likes of UFC supremo Dana White, who once suggested that women would not be able to compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, over time, Tate and the likes of fellow female fighters such as Ronda Rousey have managed to change not only White’s opinion but the general consensus where females and MMA are concerned, much to the delight of women eager to get involved with the sport.

Miesha, 35, and the former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, has suggested that “It is so nice that this is normalized” when referring to women competing at various levels of MMA.

This has been proven with not only viewership and attendance, but even with the competitive betting on MMA bouts. In the past, she said she used to be met with questions about what women’s MMA is and why anyone would choose to get involved in the sport.

However, years down the line, little girls as young as four years old are getting involved in disciplines such as Jiu-jitsu, which represents a significant change in how mixed martial arts are not only viewed by younger people but their parents and guardians too.

Tate has enjoyed somewhat of a rollercoaster ride through her journey of competing in MMA. She decided to join the UFC, subsequently making her debut in 2013.

But, after several years in the organization, Tate called time on her career and retired. She did, however, make a comeback in 2021, where she defeated Marion Reneau on her return, winning by TKO in round three.

Last time out was against Ketlen Vieira, to whom Tate lost by unanimous decision in Las Vegas, and hasn’t fought since.

Her next fight will be at UFC 276 in July, with Lauren Murphy as Tate’s likely opponent.

Speaking about her journey through MMA, Tate suggests that she is “the only female to ever really start way back in the day before the UFC, and before Strikeforce had women’s fighting down. Then to come up through the ranks of Strikeforce, become a Strikeforce champ, to become a UFC champ, and ultimately to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

“I’m so grateful for that perspective because it still keeps me motivated and hungry every single day,” the American added.

If it wasn’t for the likes of Tate and Rousey, the UFC and other MMA organisations, we think, would be significantly less appealing. There is no doubt that the sport is so much more inclusive for all types of characters with all displaying a high level of skill and mostly, professionalism too.

What do you think about Miesha Tate’s perspectives on women in the sport of MMA? Who are your top 3 female fighters of all time? Let us know in the comments below!