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Former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate is set to step back into the Octagon after more than a year away from competition. She will face Yana Santos at an upcoming UFC Fight Night event scheduled for May 3, with Des Moines, Iowa rumored to be the host city.
Tate first broke the news on social media, which was later confirmed by Santos.
“It’s official: May 3rd vs. Yana Santos,” Tate announced. “I’ve still got what it takes, and if you doubt me, please stick around. Mark your calendars.”
Santos responded with a short but direct message: “See you soon.”
Since ending her nearly five-year retirement in 2021, Tate’s return to MMA has been met with mixed results. She briefly tested the waters at flyweight, but after a single fight in the division, she moved back to her natural bantamweight class. She holds a 2-2 record since returning, with her most recent bout resulting in a submission victory over Julia Avila in December 2023.
Now, the 37-year-old veteran looks to build momentum and re-establish herself as a contender in the bantamweight division.
Yana Santos, formerly Yana Kunitskaya, is also looking to climb the ranks. She snapped a three-fight losing streak in August 2023 with a unanimous decision win over Chelsea Chandler. Before that, she had suffered losses against Karol Rosa, Holly Holm, and Irene Aldana.
A victory over a well-known veteran like Tate could provide a significant boost to Santos’ standing in the division.
While the May 3 UFC Fight Night card is set, the location has yet to be officially announced. If Des Moines, Iowa, is confirmed, it would mark the UFC’s first event in the state since UFC 26 in 2000.
This bantamweight showdown between Tate and Santos adds an intriguing matchup to the card, with both fighters eager to prove they still belong among the elite.