UFC: White surprised by Tate’s retirement, but ‘it makes sense’

NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 11: (L) and Raquel Pennington face off during UFC 205 Weigh-ins at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2016 in New York City. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP

In a fight many thought would go in her favor, Miesha Tate was outclassed during her three-round bout against rising star Raquel Pennington at UFC 205 over the weekend.

While her defeat came unexpected, the most shocking revelation came soon afterwards, when the former Women’s Bantamweight Champion announced her decision to retire following her second defeat after losing the title.

READ: Former UFC champion Miesha Tate retires after loss at UFC 205

Tate (18-7), who was on top of the heap of the women fighters just four months ago after submitting Holly Holm for the title, was visibly emotional following her loss and could barely hold back her tears as she delivered the news.

UFC president Dana White was baffled by the incident, but said he understood the logic behind the 30-year-old fighter’s decision.

“I didn’t see the Miesha Tate thing coming, but you know, it makes sense,” White said at the UFC 205 post-fight press conference, according to MMAFighting.

“Miesha’s been so tough and durable, and not a tough, durable woman, but a tough, durable athlete. She’s been in this for so long, and I could just tell when I talked to her tonight,” the UFC executive added.

Coming into the fight, the No. 1 ranked Tate was heavily favored against the No. 8 Pennington, but she was unable to mount much offense throughout the match and ended up on the receiving end of multiple strikes and an extremely tight guillotine choke in the second round.

“Cupcake” managed to avoid getting finished, but the end result was clear even before Bruce Buffer rewarded the unanimous victory to Pennington.

Due to the extent of the damage she took, Tate was unable to attend the post-fight conference and was advised to immediately rush to the hospital. But even that was a struggle for the emotional former champion, White said.

“Her and I had a little bit of a thing tonight,” explained White. “She was refusing to go to the hospital. And I’m like, ‘you’re going to the hospital.’ She’s like, ‘[expletive] you, I don’t work for you anymore.”

“So, yeah. I was like, that’s a good point, but you need to go to the hospital. Then I had to start begging, ‘If you go to the hospital tonight, I’ll get you another job doing something else, and I could be your boss again.’ So, she went, yeah. She has to go,” he elucidated.

The premier fighting organization, meanwhile, has historically awarded internal executive positions to many of its biggest names in their post-fighting life. Given Tate’s popularity among fans, she certainly fits the bill as far as being an ambassador for the sport is concerned.

The UFC boss also had some parting words for Tate, if it was indeed the last time she’ll ever step foot in the Octagon as a fighter.

“She’s upset and she’s very emotional,” White said. “But I care about Miesha a lot, and I think she’s going to do just fine in her life after fighting.”  Khristian Ibarrola