Miesha Tate is an accomplished American mixed martial artist who gained fame in the world of UFC. She was born on August 18, 1986, in Tacoma, Washington.
She currently competes in the women’s Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in which she is a former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.
Here we have Miesha Tate’s net worth, fight purse earnings, MMA career, record, relationship status, and more.
Miesha Tate’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Miesha Theresa Tate |
| Date of Birth | August 18, 1986 |
| Birthplace | Tacoma, Washington, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.69 m) |
| Nationality | American |
| Weight Class | Bantamweight |
| Reach | 66.5 in (169 cm) |
Tate’s passion for combat sports began during high school when she wrestled on the boys’ wrestling team. This led to her competing in the women’s high school state championship, which she won in 2005.
After high school, she attended Central Washington University, where she was encouraged to join the university’s mixed martial arts club. Tate later transitioned to a professional career, debuting in Strikeforce before joining the UFC in 2013.
MMA Career
Miesha Tate’s professional career began with Strikeforce, where she captured the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship in 2011 by defeating Marloes Coenen.
On December 28, 2013, Miesha Tate faced her long-time rival Ronda Rousey for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at UFC 168 in Las Vegas. Despite a strong fight, Tate ultimately lost to Rousey via submission (armbar) in the third round at 0:58.
In 2016, Tate won the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship, defeating Holly Holm in a stunning performance via submission in the fifth round. Her performance was awarded “Performance of the Night”.
In 2016, Tate lost her UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship to Amanda Nunes at UFC 200 in Las Vegas. Nunes defeated her with a first-round rear-naked choke submission at 3:16.
Miesha Tate returned to the UFC in July 2021 after a five-year hiatus, securing a TKO victory over Marion Reneau at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés.
The fight occurred in Las Vegas, where Tate dominated in the third round, finishing the fight with punches at 1:53. This victory earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.
On December 2, 2023, Miesha Tate defeated Julia Avila at UFC on ESPN: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan in Austin, Texas. Tate won the fight via submission (face crank) in the third round at 1:15. This victory earned her the Performance of the Night bonus.
Achievements
- Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion (2011)
- UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion (2016)
- Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses in UFC
- Silver Medalist at the FILA Grappling Championships
Relationship Status
On January 1, 2018, Miesha Tate announced her relationship with fellow MMA fighter Johnny Nuñez.
The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Amaia Nevaeh Nuñez, on June 4, 2018. On December 25, 2019, Tate shared the news that she was expecting their second child. Shortly after, on June 14, 2020, they celebrated the birth of their son, Daxton Wylder Nuñez.
Earlier, Tate had a relationship with Bryan Caraway. Tate attended Central Washington University, where she met her ex-boyfriend.
Miesha Tate’s Net Worth Details
Miesha Tate’s net worth is estimated to be $6 million as of 2025. Throughout her career, she has earned substantial amounts through fight purses, sponsorships, and endorsements.
Her biggest paydays came from fights with Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm, which also boosted her public profile.
Fight Purse Earnings
| Fight | Opponent | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| UFC 196 | Holly Holm | $540,000 |
| UFC 200 | Amanda Nunes | $500,000 |
| UFC on ABC 3 | Lauren Murphy | $350,000 |
Pay-per-view Bouts
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 200 | Tate vs. Nunes | July 9, 2016 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | $1,009,000 |
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5 million |
| 2021 | $5.5 million |
| 2022 | $6 million |
| 2023 | $6 million |
| 2024 | $6 million |
Endorsements
Tate has been sponsored by several brands over her career, including Reebok during her UFC days. Additionally, she has been featured in prominent magazines like Fitness Gurls and the ESPN Body Issue, showcasing her marketability beyond the octagon.
MMA Records
| 29 matches | 20 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 2 |
| By submission | 8 | 3 |
| By decision | 8 | 4 |
FAQs
1. What is Miesha Tate’s background in combat sports?
Miesha Tate began wrestling at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma, Washington, where she competed on the boys’ team and won a state championship in 2005. She transitioned to MMA in 2007, leveraging her wrestling foundation to build a career in mixed martial arts.
2. What are Miesha Tate’s most notable career achievements?
Tate is a former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion and Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion. She also won the Freestyle Cage Fighting (FCF) Women’s Bantamweight title and a silver medal at the FILA Grappling Championships.
3. Why is Miesha Tate nicknamed “Cupcake”?
The nickname “Cupcake” originated early in her career as a playful contrast to her aggressive fighting style. It stuck due to her approachable personality outside the cage.
4. How did Miesha Tate contribute to women’s MMA in the UFC?
Her 2012 fight against Ronda Rousey in Strikeforce is credited with convincing UFC president Dana White to establish women’s divisions in the UFC. Tate later became the second UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion after submitting Holly Holm at UFC 196.
5. What is Miesha Tate’s fighting style?
Tate is known for her grappling-heavy style, blending wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (purple belt), and submission techniques. She holds eight wins by submission, including armbars and chokes.
6. Who is Miesha Tate married to?
She married fellow MMA fighter Johnny Nuñez in 2021 after a public relationship since 2018. The couple has two children: daughter Amaia (born 2018) and son Daxton (born 2020).
7. Why did Miesha Tate retire, and when did she return?
Tate retired in 2016 after a loss to Raquel Pennington but returned to the UFC in 2021, citing her children as motivation. Her comeback included a victory over Marion Reneau and a Performance of the Night bonus.
8. What is Miesha Tate’s rivalry with Ronda Rousey?
Tate and Rousey fought twice: Rousey won both bouts via armbar (2012 in Strikeforce and 2013 in UFC 168). Their rivalry helped popularize women’s MMA and is considered pivotal to the sport’s growth.
9. Has Miesha Tate worked outside of fighting?
Yes. After retiring in 2016, she served as Vice President of ONE Championship and appeared in films like Fight Valley (2016). She also hosts the Built for Growth podcast.
10. What is Miesha Tate’s professional MMA record?
Tate holds a record of 20 wins (4 KOs, 8 submissions, 8 decisions) and 9 losses. Notable wins include Holly Holm, Marloes Coenen, and Jessica Eye, while losses came against Amanda Nunes and Ketlen Vieira.
