Another day, another shocker! UFC 196 ought to spring up a few surprises and it didn’t disappoint. Miesha Tate defeated Holly Holm via rare naked choke to become the new Bantamweight Champion in the fifth round.
There was a sense of uncertainty heading into the Holly Holm- Miesha Tate fight, as Meisha was the only one billed to have the striking credentials to stand and hang with the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion in the division.
The bout kicks off with both women keeping their distance with a gradual introduction of kick and punch combos. Holly connected with some good straight left and kick combinations and edged out the first round 10-9 in her favor. Just when everyone thought Holly would be in for another clinical striking display, Miesha put Holly on her back in the second round to turn things on its head.
Tate dominated on top of Holm, nearly finishing off the Champion in the dying moments of the round. Holly, showing true grit, worked Miesha’s wrists to wriggle her way out of a rear naked choke to take the fight to the third round.
Holly steadied the ship in the third and continued to land some stiff left jabs and oblique kicks on Meisha. The round wasn’t as glaring as the second and because of her volume, Holm took the round 10-9.
The championship rounds were pivotal for Miesha, who kept up the pressure and finally, made Holly pass out with the rear naked choke in the fifth round to finally achieve a feat that she was destined for since the day she got into the UFC.
According to the scorecards, Miesha was losing the round 8-10 and also the fight, but in a complete turnaround, didn't leave the decision to the judges and choked out a defiant Holm – who didn't tap and just passed out from the rear naked choke.
