Martin Rogers

USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK – Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate dramatically announced her retirement from mixed martial arts after losing a unanimous decision to Raquel Pennington at UFC 205 on Saturday night.

Tate struggled throughout the contest at Madison Square Garden in the first bout on the pay-per-view portion of the card, losing 30-27 on two judges’ scorecards and 29-28 on a third.

“I am announcing my retirement, you guys,” Tate said, when interviewed in the octagon by announcer Joe Rogan. “I love you all so much. I have been doing this for more than a decade. It is the right time. It is because of the result. I have a lot more to give and I couldn’t get it out of myself.”

Tate won the bantamweight title at UFC 197 when she produced a thrilling submission victory against Holly Holm, who had previously taken the belt from Ronda Rousey.

However, Tate was defeated by Amanda Nunes in her first defense at UFC 200, a bloody battle that made her question her appetite for the sport.

Pennington, who Tate formerly coached on The Ultimate Fighter reality show, will now catapult up the rankings thanks to her victory over the No.1 contender.

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