Despite early retirement, Miesha Tate was one of the most important female fighters ever

A mere eight months ago, Miesha Tate had the defining moment of her career. The Tacoma, Wash., native was long one of mixed martial arts’ most popular stars, in large part because of her toughness and resilience. Trailing on the scorecards against then-women’s bantamweight champion Holm and needing a finish in the fifth round, Tate somehow willed a win, as she scored a submission in the closing moments and earned her spot as champion.