At UFC Des Moines on Saturday, Yana Santos secured a significant victory, defeating former champion and likely Hall of Famer, Miesha Tate. This marked one of the most important wins of Santos` career to date.
Santos established a clear advantage in the first two rounds by utilizing effective striking, landing sharp combinations that put her ahead on the judges` scorecards. Despite a determined late takedown effort from Tate, she couldn`t secure a finish, allowing Santos to survive until the final bell and claim the decision.
Ultimately, all three judges scored the bout identically at 29-28 in favor of Santos, marking her second consecutive victory.
Following the fight, Santos expressed gratitude towards her opponent, stating, “I want to say thank you to my opponent. She’s my all-time favorite fighter. It’s more than my dream that I have a win over her. I’m happy that I won it.”
The fight began with Tate coming out aggressively, attempting strong punches and quickly transitioning to takedown attempts. Santos effectively defended against the initial onslaught, weathering the storm and responding with sharp counters and precise elbows in close-quarters exchanges and the clinch.
As the rounds progressed, Santos increasingly targeted Tate`s body and head with effective strikes, including a sharp lead jab. She also incorporated leg kicks, which visibly impacted Tate`s mobility.
While Tate attempted to press forward and pursue, Santos skillfully circled away, landing well-timed strikes designed to maximize damage against the former champion. Tate`s wrestling attempts lacked effective drive, allowing Santos to easily defend and shrug them off.
Entering the final five minutes, with Santos holding a two-round lead, Tate needed to take risks. This led to her finally securing a takedown. On the ground, Tate actively worked to advance her position, moving from half-guard to mount and eventually taking Santos` back.
Tate aggressively sought a submission, but Santos successfully defended against every attempt, showcasing strong defense and surviving until the final bell. With time expiring, Santos was confident she had done enough to earn the judges` decision after three competitive rounds.
This victory over Tate is a significant addition to Santos` record as she continues her ascent in the bantamweight division. For the 38-year-old veteran Tate, this loss brings her record since returning from retirement in 2021 to 2-3.
