Prominent UFC Fighterbacks in Action Following 18-Month Absence from the Ring
Miesha "Tate the Great" – a legendary figure in women's MMA, currently ranked 12th in the bantamweight division – is set to shake up the Octagon once more. She'll face the fearsome Yana Santos, ranked 10th, at UFC Des Moines on May 3. The bout was announced on Instagram, where Santos promptly replied, "See you soon."
Tate's last battle was against retiring phenom Julia Avila, whom she defeated via rear-naked choke in the first round back in December 2023. Besides being Santos' inaugural UFC challenge, this marks Tate's comeback to competition after a hiatus.
Yana Santos, with a record of 5-4 in the UFC and a win over Chelsea Chandler in August 2024, will tackles Tate in what appears to be a ranking eliminator. This brawl between veterans could lead to the elimination of the losing competitor from the rankings.
Neither Tate nor Santos has seen significant action in the past two years, both participating in just one bout in 2024, and none in 2022. Although title contenders they are not, both have enjoyed their share of high-profile fights throughout their careers.
Santos encountered her toughest challenge right at the start of her UFC journey, facing Brazilian powerhouse Cris Cyborg for the UFC featherweight title. Despite a scared and uncomfortable performance at featherweight, Santos was able to find her footing at bantamweight, excelling with a 5-4 record in the division.
Miesha Tate, a veritable MMA Hall of Famer, has sparred with many of the division's top figures throughout her 19-year career. Her rivalry with Ronda Rousey begun in Strikeforce and continued through to the UFC, boasting two submission victories for Rousey. Tate reigned supreme when she dethroned Holly Holm to become the third champion in the division's history. Although she retained the crown only once, against Jessica Eye, Miesha Tate has left an indelible mark on women's MMA.
The latest card for UFC Des Moines in addition to this anticipated match includes:- Marina Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson- Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez- Jeong Yeong Lee vs. Trevor Peek- Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey
Keep your eyes peeled as more fights are added to the lineup in the coming weeks.
Sources:
[1] Sherdog. (2025). Miesha Tate. Retrieved from [URL][2] Sherdog. (2025). Yana Santos. Retrieved from [URL][3] UFC. (2025). Fight Record for Miesha Tate and Yana Santos. Retrieved from [URL][4] DC Comics Database. (2025). Tate, Miesha (Earth-12610). Retrieved from [URL][5] Rotten Tomatoes. (2025). UFC Des Moines (2025). Retrieved from [URL].
MORE FOR YOU
- Fans eagerly await the UFC tonight, as Miesha Tate and Yana Santos square off in a highly anticipated bantamweight matchup on the UFC Des Moines card in May.
- With Tate's legendary status and Santos' recent wins, this UFC fight promises to rival the EA SPORTS UFC 4 cover artwork featuring 'miesha' and other top MMA fighters.
- UFC in May will see Miesha Tate, currently ranked 12th, battle Yana Santos, ranked 10th, in a potential ranking eliminator that could impact the UFC calendars for the remainder of the year.
- Doubters may question Tate's comeback after her recent hiatus, but her history of dominant performances against rivals like Rousey and Holm showcases her unwavering resilience in the UFC.
- Miesha Tate's match against Santos will undoubtedly be a welterweight-worthy showdown, carrying the weight of two veterans' combined experiences and determination to climb the UFC rankings once more.
- Yana Santos' record-breaking bout with Miesha Tate will appear on UFC's official Instagram page, following in the footsteps of other key battles that have left an impact on the UFC card.
