Miesha Tate wins majority decision over Sara McMann
LAS VEGAS -- Former Strikeforce bantamweight champion Miesha Tate came from behind to win a razor-close majority decision over Sara McMann Saturday night at UFC 183. Scores were 29-28, 29-27 and 28-28 in favor of "Cupcake."
At the start, McMann looked to be close to finishing Tate with strikes. The former Olympian knocked her opponent back and down to the mat with powerful punches in the first round.
Tate would later acknowledge that she was was hurt badly at the time. "Pretty bad," she told Joe Rogan post-fight.
"I knew I had to hang on for dear life."
Hang on she did, though the second round started out almost as badly for Tate as the first had, with McMann hurting her with more right hands. Tate managed to come back, however, and use impressive ground work to turn the tide.
After returning fire on the feet with her own punch combinations, Tate reversed a takedown from McMann and swept her while locking on a guillotine choke. Tate didn't get the submission finish but did hold on to top position for the rest of the round.
McMann came out with a head full of steam at the start of the third and final round, scoring a hip toss on Tate. Once more, however, Tate reversed positions and landed on top of her fellow former UFC title challenger.
From there, Tate controlled the action on top from the half guard, sidemount and "I" position, while mixing in some big elbow strikes. As in the second round, only the horn sounding could get Tate off of McMann.
The win improves Tate's record to 16-5 and drops McMann's to 8-2.
