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Tate scores TKO over Reneau in MMA return

Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty

Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Miesha Tate enjoyed a triumphant return to mixed martial arts Saturday night.

Tate defeated Marion Reneau via TKO at the 1:53 mark of the third round in the UFC Fight Night co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It was Tate's first bout since retiring in 2016.

The 34-year-old got on top of Reneau and pummeled her with ground-and-pound until the referee intervened.

"I'm so happy," Tate said during her postfight interview. "This has been a lot of hard work, a lot of self-discovery in the process. But I'm here and I'm back."

"Cupcake" added that she intends to recapture UFC gold before walking away from the sport for good.

"With all due respect, I'm not here just for a fight," Tate said. "I'm here for a belt."

Earlier in the contest, Tate looked sharp in the stand-up department and was successful with her takedown attempts.

The ex-champ snapped a two-fight skid while picking up her first victory since winning the 135-pound belt against Holly Holm in March 2016. Tate fought twice more that year and then announced her retirement following a decision defeat to Raquel Pennington at UFC 205.

Reneau confirmed ahead of the fight with Tate that it would be her final walk to the cage before retirement. The 44-year-old steps away while riding a five-fight skid and with a 5-7-1 record in the promotion. This clash resulted in the first stoppage loss of Reneau's career.

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