Wrapping up training camp for her fight last November, Miesha Tate felt as though she was taking a promising step back toward the top of the bantamweight division. She was healthy and strong, disciplined and prepared. But as she walked down the Madison Square Garden aisle toward the Octagon to start the UFC 205main card, something felt off.
There was no fear of underperformance welling up motivation. There was just a disconnect from the relentless competitor within her. The very thing that had propelled her to the greatest heights in the sport just months before was magically, mysteriously gone.
“It felt like I was having an out-of-body experience,” she told MMA Fighting. “I tried to pull it out of myself, but it wasn’t happening.”
As the fight went on, while in the midst of surviving Raquel Pennington’s barrages, she had an epiphany. And when it was over, after losing a decision, Tate, just 30 years old at the time, stunned observers by spontaneously announcing her retirement. As goodbyes go, it seemed too sudden to take root. While most chalked up the impromptu announcement to the emotion of the moment, Tate today remains confident in her decision to walk away, and content in her many accomplishments, including the UFC and Strikeforce championships.
Still, it’s not the end of her association with the sport that made her famous. Earlier this year, with partners Robert Reynolds and Robert Callister, Tate formed AO8 Management to represent fighters.
After conquering MMA as a fighter, Miesha Tate moves into boardroom as manager
