Miesha Tate Ready to Fight Yana Santos at UFC Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa — Miesha Tate, a former Bantamweight Champion, will enter the octagon on May 3, 2025, to face 10th-ranked Yana Santos at UFC Des Moines. Known as ‘Cupcake,’ Tate stands at No. 12 in the UFC bantamweight rankings and is eager to reclaim her spot among the top fighters in her division.

Tate, who began her professional career in 2007, boasts a record of 20 wins and 9 losses. She is recognized for her grappling skills and wrestling background. Her last fight was a victory against Julia Avila at UFC on ESPN 52 in December 2023, where she secured a submission win, marking Avila’s first loss by submission.

Since her career began, Tate has won multiple championships including the FCF Women’s Bantamweight Championship in 2009 and the Strikeforce Bantamweight title in 2011. Her most notable achievement came in March 2016 when she submitted Holly Holm to claim the UFC Bantamweight title. After stepping away from the sport citing mental health issues in 2016, Tate returned to the UFC in 2021 after serving as vice president for ONE Championship.

Despite her nickname sounding sweet, Tate’s persona challenges stereotypes of femininity in combat sports. “I might look soft or feminine on the outside, but that has nothing to do with what I’m made up with on the inside,” Tate said in a 2015 interview.

Her upcoming fight against Yana Santos will be crucial for Tate as she works towards revitalizing her career in the bantamweight division.