Yana Santos achieved a significant career victory by defeating former champion and likely Hall of Famer Miesha Tate at UFC Des Moines on Saturday.
Using her superior striking, Santos landed several sharp combinations throughout the first two rounds, establishing a lead on the scorecards. Although Tate made a valiant effort with a late takedown attempt, she was unable to secure a finish, allowing Santos to survive and secure the decision win.
Ultimately, all three judges agreed, scoring the fight 29-28 in favor of Santos, marking her second consecutive victory.
“I want to say thank you to my opponent,” Santos stated regarding Tate. “She`s my all-time favorite fighter. Winning against her is more than a dream come true. I`m just happy that I won it.”
Tate began the fight aggressively, throwing powerful punches and attempting takedowns early on. Santos effectively weathered this initial storm, responding with solid counters and well-timed elbows during clinch exchanges.
As the rounds progressed, Santos focused her attack, targeting Tate`s body and head with a precise lead jab. She also incorporated leg kicks which noticeably impacted Tate`s movement.
While Tate attempted to stay on the offensive, Santos consistently circled away, carefully timing her strikes to inflict maximum damage on the former champion. Even when Tate tried to utilize her wrestling, Santos was able to shrug off the attempts with relative ease.
Entering the final round trailing by two rounds, Tate was compelled to take risks, finally securing her first takedown. She worked diligently to improve her position, moving from half-guard to mount and eventually taking Santos` back.
Tate desperately sought a submission attempt, but Santos successfully defended every effort, surviving until the final horn sounded. With time expiring, Tate`s comeback fell short, and Santos was confident she had done enough to earn the judges` decision after three competitive rounds.
Santos, a consistent competitor in the bantamweight division, adds this win over Tate to her record as she continues her ascent in the rankings. For Tate, the 38-year-old veteran`s record since returning from retirement in 2021 now stands at 2-3.
