The upcoming UFC Fight Night on May 3 will feature a highly anticipated bantamweight clash between Yana Santos and Miesha Tate, two seasoned fighters with contrasting styles and compelling narratives. The event, set to take place in Des Moines, Iowa, marks a critical juncture for both athletes as they seek to solidify their positions in the competitive women’s bantamweight division.
Yana Santos vs. Miesha Tate
For UFC betting, Santos is positioned as the slight favorite, reflecting her recent victory and activity. Bettors looking to wager on Santos would need to stake more to secure a profit, as indicated by her negative odds.
On the other hand, Miesha Tate, the former champion, enters as the underdog, with positive odds that offer a higher payout for those backing her. This is largely due to her being inactive for several years.
This fight represents a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup. Santos, a kickboxer and taekwondo stylist will aim to keep the fight standing, leveraging her reach advantage (68 inches to Tate’s 65) and superior striking output to outpoint or finish her opponent. On the other hand, Tate will likely seek to close the distance, utilize her wrestling to bring the fight to the ground, and capitalize on Santos’ weaker takedown defense.
For Santos, defeating a former UFC champion like Miesha Tate would be a career-defining moment and could propel her into title contention. For Tate, this bout is an opportunity to prove she still belongs among the elite and can make another run at reclaiming UFC gold.
Yana Santos has demonstrated an ability to dominate on her feet, landing an impressive 4.42 significant strikes per minute with 58% accuracy. However, her takedown defense (42%) has been a vulnerability that opponents have exploited in the past.
Miesha Tate is a former UFC and Strikeforce bantamweight champion with a storied career. Returning to action after more than a year away, Tate last secured a third-round submission win over Julia Avila in December 2023. A skilled wrestler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, she averages 2.02 takedowns per 15 minutes and has earned eight victories by submission. At 37 years old and ranked #11 in the division, Tate is determined to re-establish herself as a top contender after mixed results since her return from retirement in 2021.
As both fighters prepare for this pivotal encounter, fans can expect an intriguing battle of skillsets and determination. Whether it’s Santos’ striking or Tate’s grappling dominance that prevails, this bout promises to be an exciting addition to the May 3 UFC Fight Night card.
