Former UFC Champion Miesha Tate Set for Octagon Return Against Yana Santos

In an exciting development for mixed martial arts fans, former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate is gearing up for her next challenge in the Octagon. The veteran fighter has announced her upcoming bout against Yana Santos, scheduled for a UFC Fight Night event on May 3, 2025. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest between two experienced competitors looking to climb the ranks in the women’s bantamweight division.

Yana Santos will fight Miesha Tate at UFC event on May 3rd. (first rep. @MieshaTate) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025

(Rumored location: Des Moines, Iowa) #UFCDesMoines pic.twitter.com/phhk4BJoAF

— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) February 17, 2025

A Clash of Veterans

Miesha “Cupcake” Tate, now 38 years old, continues to prove that age is just a number in the world of MMA. With a professional record of 20 wins and 9 losses, including 7 victories in the UFC, Tate has been a formidable force in women’s MMA for over a decade. Her last appearance in the Octagon was a dominant performance against Julia Avila on December 2, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 52, where she secured a submission victory in the third round.

The crowd was behind Meisha Tate when she absolutely assaulted Julia Avila. Cavalcanti on ESPN commercials and Jon Gooden posting about her while Avila training with kids. Jacqueline finishes her however she wants.
pic.twitter.com/qSfyVjR0Cn

— JEWISHBETTOR (@mmajewishbettor) February 15, 2025

This win was particularly significant for Tate, as it marked the end of a two-fight losing streak and brought her record to 2-2 since her return from retirement in 2021. Tate’s comeback has been a rollercoaster ride, including a brief foray into the flyweight division before returning to her championship weight class of bantamweight.

On the other side of the cage, Yana Santos brings her own wealth of experience to this matchup. At 35 years old, Santos holds a professional record of 15 wins and 8 losses, with a 5-5 record in the UFC. Her most recent outing was a crucial unanimous decision victory over Chelsea Chandler at UFC on ESPN 61 on August 10, 2024. This win was described by Santos herself as “career-saving,” as it halted a three-fight losing streak that had stretched back to 2021.

Implications for the Bantamweight Division

This bout between Tate and Santos is more than just a meeting of two seasoned fighters; it’s a pivotal moment for both athletes’ careers and the bantamweight division as a whole. For Tate, a win could solidify her position as a top contender and potentially put her back on the path to title contention. The former champion has shown that she still has what it takes to compete at the highest level, and another impressive performance could silence any doubters.

Santos, meanwhile, has everything to gain from this high-profile matchup. A victory over a former champion like Tate would be the biggest of her UFC career and could catapult her into the division’s top rankings. With her UFC record now back at .500, Santos has the opportunity to build on her recent success and establish herself as a serious threat in the bantamweight division.

The event is expected to take place in Des Moines, Iowa, although the UFC has yet to officially confirm the location and venue. This setting could provide an electric atmosphere for what promises to be an intense battle between two hungry competitors.

As fight fans eagerly await May 3, speculation is already building about how this matchup will unfold. Will Tate’s grappling prowess and championship experience prove too much for Santos? Or will Santos’ determination and recent momentum carry her to the biggest win of her career?

One thing is certain: with both fighters coming off important victories and looking to climb the rankings, this bout has all the ingredients for an unforgettable night of action. As the UFC continues to showcase the depth and talent of its women’s divisions, matchups like Tate vs. Santos demonstrate why MMA remains one of the most exciting and unpredictable sports in the world.

Fight fans around the globe will be counting down the days until these two warriors step into the Octagon, each with something to prove and everything to gain. May 3 can’t come soon enough for those eager to witness what could be a pivotal moment in the careers of both Miesha Tate and Yana Santos.