Miesha Tate

So it outdid all of the fighters previously, which were all male, and it opened the door. I said, wow, this is the direction I want to go. And Gina really inspired me. She really... was somebody who carried herself with a lot of couth and a lot of likeability. She always seemed a very real, honest, genuine person. Hell of a fighter. She had so much spirit.

So it outdid all of the fighters previously, which were all male, and it opened the door. I said, wow, this is the direction I want to go. And Gina really inspired me. She really... was somebody who carried herself with a lot of couth and a lot of likeability. She always seemed a very real, honest, genuine person. Hell of a fighter. She had so much spirit.

And so she opened the door for the rest of us. And I was right there. Like, as soon as I got my contract, I was like, that's what I want to do. That's who I want to be like. That's what I'm aspiring to. And then it wasn't long after that, of course, Dana White started getting the question. When are women going to be in the UFC? Never. You know, it's like, I'll never let women in the UFC.

And so she opened the door for the rest of us. And I was right there. Like, as soon as I got my contract, I was like, that's what I want to do. That's who I want to be like. That's what I'm aspiring to. And then it wasn't long after that, of course, Dana White started getting the question. When are women going to be in the UFC? Never. You know, it's like, I'll never let women in the UFC.

But it was my fight with Ronda that actually changed his mind. So, you know, back to that thought that I had some years before that, it ended up coming true. And I really feel like I manifested that. I didn't know Dana was going to be watching that fight, but I just poured my heart and soul into it. And granted, I didn't come away with the win. It was a win for women in the sport of MMA.

But it was my fight with Ronda that actually changed his mind. So, you know, back to that thought that I had some years before that, it ended up coming true. And I really feel like I manifested that. I didn't know Dana was going to be watching that fight, but I just poured my heart and soul into it. And granted, I didn't come away with the win. It was a win for women in the sport of MMA.

Even though it was a loss on my shoulders, I still was able to deliver in a powerful way and have this rivalry with Ronda and give her a good run for her money to show that there was competitiveness, there was skill, there was heart, there was determination. There was everything that you would want out of a fight.

Even though it was a loss on my shoulders, I still was able to deliver in a powerful way and have this rivalry with Ronda and give her a good run for her money to show that there was competitiveness, there was skill, there was heart, there was determination. There was everything that you would want out of a fight.

Even me refusing to tap and letting my arm just completely be annihilated, dislocated. I just refused. She got me in an arm bar. And she snapped it and I wouldn't tap. So, you know, people were like, oh, my God, like, how is she so tough? Like, how are women so tough? Like that? No idea that we had this in us, I think. And so it was pretty big news at the time. And when Dana saw it. I don't know.

Even me refusing to tap and letting my arm just completely be annihilated, dislocated. I just refused. She got me in an arm bar. And she snapped it and I wouldn't tap. So, you know, people were like, oh, my God, like, how is she so tough? Like, how are women so tough? Like that? No idea that we had this in us, I think. And so it was pretty big news at the time. And when Dana saw it. I don't know.

Like, I think it was within a week. He called me, gave me a big bonus and said, women are coming to the UFC. And I said, holy shit. Cause he wasn't my boss at that time.

Like, I think it was within a week. He called me, gave me a big bonus and said, women are coming to the UFC. And I said, holy shit. Cause he wasn't my boss at that time.

It wasn't. And there was some rumors about strike force being absorbed by the UFC. We didn't know what that meant for fighters and especially for females. Cause all we had ever heard at that point was women will never fight in the UFC. So we were like, dang, we're pretty SOL. And yeah, I did know that before going into the fight with Ronda that the future of us may be dependent on that.

It wasn't. And there was some rumors about strike force being absorbed by the UFC. We didn't know what that meant for fighters and especially for females. Cause all we had ever heard at that point was women will never fight in the UFC. So we were like, dang, we're pretty SOL. And yeah, I did know that before going into the fight with Ronda that the future of us may be dependent on that.

But I didn't know if Dana would care. Like, I don't know. I didn't know if he would be watching. But I thought, well, here's the chance. Here's the opportunity to prove everything I've been saying. And I know that it can be done because I've done it before. And learning that lesson as a 15-year-old girl moving through high school, that anybody's perception can be changed. Just need an opportunity.

But I didn't know if Dana would care. Like, I don't know. I didn't know if he would be watching. But I thought, well, here's the chance. Here's the opportunity to prove everything I've been saying. And I know that it can be done because I've done it before. And learning that lesson as a 15-year-old girl moving through high school, that anybody's perception can be changed. Just need an opportunity.

So there it was. And I took it. Then I walked away with so much more victory and the victory mindset that then I think I could have even, I had won the fight. Like honestly, looking back on it now, I learned so much more from those losses. They elevated me in every single way, and especially when it comes to being humble. And understanding how hard it is to lose shit that matters to you.

So there it was. And I took it. Then I walked away with so much more victory and the victory mindset that then I think I could have even, I had won the fight. Like honestly, looking back on it now, I learned so much more from those losses. They elevated me in every single way, and especially when it comes to being humble. And understanding how hard it is to lose shit that matters to you.

I worked so hard for that. I put all my eggs in one basket and it felt like my life was ruined. So I empathize with people who maybe have gone through bankruptcy or who have... you know, gone, gone to jail or lost their job or this or that. It's like, and I just know what feeling like hitting rock bottom is no matter how hard you've been working for something.

I worked so hard for that. I put all my eggs in one basket and it felt like my life was ruined. So I empathize with people who maybe have gone through bankruptcy or who have... you know, gone, gone to jail or lost their job or this or that. It's like, and I just know what feeling like hitting rock bottom is no matter how hard you've been working for something.