Like many fighters, Miesha Tate was surprised to see Joanna Jedrzejczyk lay her gloves on the canvas at UFC 275. Zhang Weili was beaten by the once dominant strawweight champion.
“I was surprised to see Tate take off her gloves inside the octagon. Because she was absolutely stunning. I thought both women looked like elevated versions of themself, and I still think Joanna has a lot to offer should she choose to continue fighting.”
Tate had turned 30 three months before a unanimous decision loss to Raquel Pennington prompted her to step away from the sport. After five years away from the cage, working behind the scenes in the industry and raising a family, she returned to fighting for one last shot at gold. She won against Marion Renau in the third round, but lost to Ketlen Vieira in the follow up. This November saw her lose against Ketlen Vieira.
Tate understands why Jedrzejczyk would choose to move to the next chapter in her life, so she can’t blame her fellow former champ for making that move.
“As I’ve come to realize later in my life, and I think what she’s come to realize – and I had an interview with her just a couple weeks ago for our show – and she was so happy and fulfilled, and I recognized that in her,” Tate said. She was in a wonderful place. I just feel like she’s ready to move on to the next chapter.
“I’ve been in that position before, except now she’s 35 years old, so I do think this is probably a smart decision, because it’s what she wants and what makes her happy, and life is too short to be miserable.
” We have to get out there and discover what sets our souls ablaze. We get one go-around in this, unless you believe in reincarnation, but we don’t remember our other lives anyways, so basically we get one go-around. I think she’s doing it right – she wants to start a family and she wants to be a businesswoman.”
Jedrzejczyk hopes to have a family, and maybe work as a manager behind-the scenes. She intends to stay close to the UFC, which she credits for many of the positive things in her life.
Jedrzejczyk’s retirement after her loss prompted an outpouring of gratitude from fighters and fans who remember her decorated run in the octagon. Tate was among the people who recognized the ex-champion as an important figure in the sport.
“She’s phenomenal,” Tate said. Tate said, “She is an incredible woman, and a phenomenal fighter. I believe she will always be remembered as the UFC .”
‘s greatest competitor.”
Tate, meanwhile, is giving her dream another shot as she drops to the flyweight division to take on Lauren Murphy at UFC 276.
