Miesha Tate

A pioneer of women's MMA who won titles in Strikeforce and the UFC before retiring, then returned to competition in 2021.

One of the founding figures of women's MMA — UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, the rival who helped launch Ronda Rousey's career and a pioneer whose early performances helped establish women's fighting as a legitimate main event draw. Mixed martial arts requires mastery across striking, wrestling and ground fighting, combined with the ability to implement strategy under pressure. Career highlights included UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion, Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion, TUF 18 coach. Miesha represented the kind of complete athlete that mma produces only rarely — technically accomplished, physically conditioned and mentally equipped for the full demands of elite competition. Few athletes in mma combined consistency and peak performance as effectively across the full span of a long and distinguished career. Miesha Tate's achievements in mma were built on a foundation of technical discipline and physical preparation that allowed performance to be maintained at the very top of the sport across multiple competitive seasons.

Tate was primarily known for her strong wrestling background and submission grappling skills. She possessed excellent takedown ability and ground control, often wearing down opponents with relentless pressure and cardio. Her striking improved significantly throughout her career, developing solid boxing fundamentals to complement her grappling-heavy approach.

Tate helped elevate women's MMA during a crucial period of growth and was instrumental in bringing legitimacy to the women's bantamweight division. Her rivalries and performances contributed significantly to the mainstream acceptance of female fighters in the UFC.

• Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion 2011
• UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion 2016