The damage sustained against Amanda Nunes could have long-term effects on Miesha Tate’s career.
‘Cupcake’ was gobbled up by the Brazilian in the main event of UFC 200 to cede her bantamweight title at the first time of asking.
Upset alert! #AndNew #UFC200 https://t.co/fAusl9pGSV
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 10, 2016
Tate came into the bout as comfortable favourite but was rocked early and often by Nunes.
She wore some heavy blows and crosses and her nose was badly broken, pouring blood as her night went from bad to much, much worse. Tate also took this crunching knee to the face.
She was reduced to taking the contest to the mat after her legs gave out. Once Nunes got into position, Tate soon tapped out.
The Seattle native appeared dazed as the contest ended and clambered all over a stunned, overjoyed Nunes, telling her ‘You’re amazing’.
As referee Herb Dean raised Nunes’ arm, Tate rocked on her heels and tried to take it all in. “She caught me, fair and square,” Tate told Joe Rogan.
It was over 30 minutes from the end of the fight to the post-event press conference. Still, Tate’s nose leaked blood.
She held a cloth to it for most of her time on the stage, not even removing it to answer questions.
“One fight doesn’t make or break me. I’m obviously disappointed with that I did tonight. I knew that Amanda was a fast starter and I played with fire a little too much,” she said.
“I’m sure it’s broken,” she added after she was asked how her nose was.
