Time for the semi-main event

From the first defense of the champion who surprised the world, Holly Holm. Who surprised the world and in the process saved the career of her opponent, Miesha Tate, for before knowing that Holly would defeat Ronda, she regretted being overlooked by UFC executives for a title fight.

Miesha was replaced by Holly as Rousey's contender. Miesha said she was considering quitting fighting. Holly defeated Ronda. Miesha returned to the game.

But with Rousey out of the picture, the logical step was to pit Tate against Holm.

Friends and co-stars in a movie outside the octagon.

Fierce rivals within it.

Miesha Tate started with distance, not wanting to succumb to a Holm kick. Holly knew well of Tate's good ground game, so the approach was not accelerated, they had to try to figure out the fighting distance.

She threw some punches that connected with Holly, although she didn't take too many risks because Holm is strong in striking and did shake her for a moment.

Then Tate took advantage of a mistake by Holm and took her to the ground.

She kept her there for a long time, dominated, with some powerful strikes. Holly just managed to move her head to avoid severe damage, to avoid being knocked out, but she endured the choke until she was able to free herself from it.

Then, she sought the fight on her feet. Once Miesha broke her record of 100% takedown defense, she knew that if she stayed on the ground with her, she wouldn't have much opportunity.

And so she kept it with side kicks, occasional strikes to the face, a lot of movement to not be an easy target, a well-fought fight in the sense that if she kept her away with strikes, Tate wouldn't get close for an exchange.

But Miesha had the least fear. She was hungrier for her second chance at the UFC bantamweight belt to become a champion.

That's why she didn't stop looking for the takedown, the ground, her natural habitat.

Holly repelled her several times, but the last one was decisive.

She takes her down. Holm tries to get up. Tate snatches her leg and takes her back down. Holm fights not to go back to the takedown and tries to free herself. They end up against the cage. Holm stands up, tries to shake off the choke that Tate has on her. She throws her over her, but Tate clings to the champion's neck. They fall. Holm starts to run out of air. Miesha doesn't release the pressure. Holm taps.

Finally, Miesha Tate achieves the championship, just a few months after being on the verge of retirement.

And the new bantamweight female champion... Miesha Tate.