Miesha Tate seems to be pretty happy with her recent retirement.
At UFC 205, the former UFC women's bantamweight champion was set to face Raquel Pennington in her first fight since losing the title to Amanda Nunes and, by all accounts, she was ready to put herself back into title contention with a win. Needless to say, things did not go according to plan. Tate lost a unanimous decision to Pennington and then, to the surprise of everyone, announced her retirement from the sport right there in the cage.
In a recent media scrum ahead of UFC: Melbourne this weekend, Tate answered questions about her retirement and what precipitated the decision.
"I just knew after like the first exchange that I just didn't want to do it anymore. So it was just kind of one of those things that just like stuck it out but I knew I had a lot more to give and I just didn't give it. I don't know. It's just one of those things. It's kind of odd, to be honest. But yeah, just lacking a little bit of the competitive edge to want to punch people in the face... I planned on winning that fight and going on another title run but at the end of that I just knew."
After the event, Tate was the center of another story when UFC President Dana White recounted an exchange they two had after the fight about Tate going to the hospital to get checked out. White told reporters that when he insisted Tate skip the press conference to go to the hospital she told him, "F**k you, I don't work for you anymore," before eventually going to get checked out. Tate also discussed what that incident was all about.
"I was pissed. I didn't want to go to the hospital because I was fine. I knew I was fine. They didn't make me go to the hospital after I fought Amanda and you know she knocked my block off. If any time I should have gone to the hospital it probably should have been then but there wasn't really anything that happened in the fight with Raquel that I feel was hospital-deeming worthy. It just pissed me off because I was like, 'I have an after party to go to. I have my friends here. I'm in New York City, I do not want to go spend a couple hours in the ER when I've been doing this long enough to know I didn't need to go."
As for what's next for Tate, she has no dearth of options. For one, the burgeoning world of professional grappling could use the name value Tate can bring to events and she already has her first match coming up, a bout against Jessica Eye at Chael Sonnen's Submission Underground event on Dec. 11 in Portland, Ore. And beyond grappling, Tate is also looking at opportunities to stay engaged with MMA on the broadcasting level and has apparently been in contact with the UFC's partner, FOX.
"It looks like something will come to fruition with FOX at some point so we’ll just see how that all unfolds. I think there’s going to be a lot of things that I have to look forward to but I’ve got to kind of sit down and talk to my management and see exactly what’s next."
All in all, Tate seems very happy with her decision to move on from competing in MMA even if she doesn't like to call it a retirement.
"I prefer the term ‘transition' - just transition into like, more promoting events. I'm still going to be involved. Actually, you might see more of me now."
But don't read too much into that. While she doesn't completely rule out a comeback later on, Tate seems pretty adamant it's not in the near future.
"You never know, but at this point it's not something I'm thinking about."
MUST-READ STORIES
Big Plans. Joanna Jedrzejczyk plans on winning second title in 2017.
Lookin' for a fight. Junior dos Santos is looking for a title shot against Stipe Miocic at UFC 209.
Hold out. Khabib Nurmagomedov's manager says he won't fight again unless it's for a title.
Dream big. Kamaru Usman calls out Demian Maia and vows to finish him in the first round.
MEDIA STEW
Maybe DC's best fight.
Khabib's gonna get the shot.
TTTHS
LISTEN UP
Me and Shaun Al-Shatti talk MMA.
JBS
MMA Dude
MMA Mad
TWEETS
Juicebox.
Ya know Tito.... if you pay your electric bill, the lights in the living room will come back on. pic.twitter.com/TM6HyGHQh2
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) November 25, 2016
Now it's Pat McAfee walk. Vince taking L's all over the place.
That @PatMcAfeeShow swag pic.twitter.com/wxmU5PplVi
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 25, 2016
Don't hate it.
Hey @stipemiocicufc enjoy Thanksgiving in ur new home- hope it's filled w great food & friends. Let's fight after the holidays?Brooklyn? LMK
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) November 24, 2016
@ 155 I got unfinished business. Fighting @JoeLauzon in march would be a honor! #respecthttps://t.co/WQ5XF5oNIR
— Thiago Alves. (@ThiagoAlvesATT) November 24, 2016
Hello id like to order some competition please I don't have any pic.twitter.com/cocgW4uwsb
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 23, 2016
I am old school and try to do this man to man but the he don't want anything to do with a real man. Time to move on @danawhite @seanshelby pic.twitter.com/ilAL4yM6O7
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 23, 2016
This is great.
Thanks to @Reebok and @ufc for my payment just a miss understanding I'm going to donate €1000 euros of the money @roryswishtowalk pic.twitter.com/zQRHetzP0G
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) November 23, 2016
Congrats. Also, damn, JDS's nose is mangled.
OMG!!!
— #UFCMelbourne (@ufc) November 24, 2016
Happy Thanksgiving @Junior_Cigano & CONGRATS!!!! pic.twitter.com/PtUYkeGWm8
Happy Thanksgiving everybody @ninaansaroff @ufc pic.twitter.com/fHMsauUVI2
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) November 25, 2016
The original turkeys.
While Im on my way back from Québec city I want to wish happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends! pic.twitter.com/A5DaxfqQsC
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) November 24, 2016
Happy Thanksgiving. pic.twitter.com/vREksRNZek
— Teruto Ishihara (@teruto_ko) November 24, 2016
I need another Thanksgiving dinner, I'm jealous already..we had ours on Tuesday..
— tonya evinger (@tonyaevinger) November 24, 2016
This kid gets it.
Dom is the best trash talker in MMA.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A
FINAL THOUGHTS
Fight weekend y'all. We've got a 2-4 fighter competing and people really wanna act like CM Punk shouldn't get another shot. Bet Yao Zhikui brings in considerably less money than ol' Phil Brooks.
Have a good one everyone and see you Monday.
If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.