On July 9, 2016, at UFC 200, Amanda Nunes launched her historic career as a two-division champion with a spectacular victory over Miesha Tate. Nunes became the first woman in UFC history to hold both the bantamweight and featherweight titles simultaneously, marking the beginning of a legendary reign in the sport.
The main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas took an unexpected turn when Jon Jones was unable to fight Daniel Cormier due to a failed drug test, elevating Tate’s bantamweight title defense to the headline slot. Tate, who had recently claimed the title from Holly Holm, aimed to extend her reign against Nunes, a fighter she had previously criticized for lacking championship mentality.
Within the first three minutes of the fight, Nunes showcased her striking power, breaking Tate’s nose and establishing herself as a formidable opponent. After delivering substantial damage, Nunes secured a rear-naked choke, forcing Tate to submit in the first round. The victory not only earned Nunes the bantamweight championship but also set the stage for her ascent to the status of greatest of all time in women’s mixed martial arts.
Following the fight, Tate reflected on her performance, admitting she had “played with fire” and paid the price. “One fight doesn’t make or break me. I’m obviously disappointed with what I did tonight,” Tate stated during the post-fight press conference. “I know Amanda was a fast starter, and I played with fire a little bit too much. But you know, she caught me, and I wasn’t able to recover.”
Tate also addressed the physical toll of the fight, suggesting her nose was likely broken. “I’ve had broken noses before, so I think it’s broken. It’s still bleeding,” she added, highlighting the intensity of the bout.
Nunes’ victory at UFC 200 marked a pivotal moment in her career and served as a rebuttal to Tate’s pre-fight claims about her mental resilience. Before the event, Tate had expressed doubts about Nunes, stating, “I don’t think she has what it takes to be a champion and still be willing to dig deep in those championship rounds.”
Despite the setback, Nunes has consistently demonstrated her ability to overcome challenges. After suffering a shocking loss to Julianna Pena in December 2021, she returned seven months later and decisively won their rematch, further solidifying her legacy in the sport.
With her victory at UFC 200, Amanda Nunes not only captured the bantamweight title but also began a journey that would see her become one of the most dominant figures in mixed martial arts history.
