Miesha Tate Was Hunting Holly Holm Rematch Before Landing UFC Des Moines Bout Against Yana Santos

The MMA world got a little surprise when UFC announced Miesha Tate vs. Yana Santos for the upcoming Des Moines card. What fans didn’t know? “Cupcake” had her sights set on a much bigger prize before this booking came together.

I’ve got the inside scoop on what Tate was really chasing before the Santos fight materialized – and it involves settling an old score with a certain head-kick specialist.

Tate’s Original Target: The Preacher’s Daughter

Before the ink dried on her bout agreement to face Santos at UFC Des Moines, former bantamweight champion Miesha Tate was actively pursuing something far more significant – a rematch with Holly Holm.

This revelation adds a fascinating layer to Tate’s current career trajectory. For those who might not remember their first encounter (how could you forget?), Tate shocked the world by submitting Holm at UFC 196 back in 2016, capturing the bantamweight title in dramatic fashion with a fifth-round rear-naked choke after being down on the scorecards.

Insert image of Miesha Tate’s submission victory over Holly Holm at UFC 196 here

Why The Holm Rematch Makes Sense

When you break it down, Tate gunning for Holm is brilliant strategy:

• Both women are UFC veterans with massive name recognition
• Their first fight delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in women’s MMA history
• Both fighters are in the twilight of their careers looking for meaningful matchups
• The bout would carry significant title implications in the women’s bantamweight division

The fact that Tate was actively pursuing this rematch shows she’s not just back for a paycheck – she’s hunting legacy fights. That’s the Miesha we know and love.

Yana Santos: The Consolation Prize?

Don’t get me wrong, Yana Santos (formerly Kunitskaya) is a legitimate test for anyone in the division. But when you’ve been a UFC champion and you’re making your way back to relevance, you aim for the biggest names possible.

Santos, while skilled, doesn’t carry the same marquee value as a Holly Holm rematch would have provided. This suggests either the UFC couldn’t make the Holm fight happen for scheduling reasons, or they’re taking a more methodical approach with Tate’s comeback arc.

The Road Back To Relevance

Tate’s return to the UFC hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. After coming back from retirement with a TKO win over Marion Reneau in 2021, she dropped consecutive fights to Ketlen Vieira and Lauren Murphy (the latter at flyweight).

For a former champion who once stood at the pinnacle of the sport, this isn’t the comeback story she envisioned. The Santos fight represents a must-win situation if she wants another crack at facing the division’s elite – including Holm.

You know what’s crazy? Even with their storied history, Tate and Holm have never run it back. Seven years later, we’re still waiting for the rematch. That’s practically unheard of for a fight of that magnitude.

What’s Next If Tate Beats Santos?

Should Tate get past Santos in impressive fashion at UFC Des Moines, that Holm rematch suddenly becomes much more viable. And honestly? The division could use some rejuvenation with familiar faces who can still draw eyeballs.

While new champion Raquel Pennington deserves her moment in the sun, the UFC always keeps one eye on marketable matchups. A vintage performance from Tate could fast-track her to bigger opportunities – perhaps even that Holm rematch she clearly desires.

Will We Ever See Tate vs. Holm 2?

The clock is ticking on both fighters’ careers. Holm is 42, and Tate at 37 isn’t getting any younger in fight years. If this rematch is going to happen, the window is closing rapidly.

My take? The UFC will book this fight eventually – but only if Tate can show she’s still a legitimate contender by handling business against Santos first. The nostalgia factor alone would make this a perfect co-main event for a PPV card later this year.

What do you think? Should the UFC have made Tate vs. Holm 2 instead of booking Tate against Santos? Or does Miesha need to earn her way back to those high-profile matchups? Let me know in the comments!

UFC Des Moines goes down on July 13th at Wells Fargo Arena, headlined by Derrick Lewis vs. Rodrigo Nascimento.

Source: UFC.com