Miesha Tate is back.

The former UFC women's bantamweight champion is ending her retirement and has accepted a fight against Marion Reneau on July 17, she told ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Wednesday.

"My heart is full of passion, the fire has been lit!" Tate said via text message. "The sport has been calling for me, it's time I answer."

Tate retired in November 2016 following a loss to Raquel Pennington, which marked her second straight defeat. However, she stayed involved in mixed martial arts after that as an ambassador for Asia-based promotion ONE Championship.

The 34-year-old won the UFC belt in March 2016 with a come-from-behind submission over Holly Holm, who was four months removed from her stunning knockout of Ronda Rousey. Tate lost the championship in her first title defense versus Amanda Nunes, who is still the champion today and has become the greatest women's fighter in MMA history.

Tate is also a former bantamweight champion in Strikeforce. Before winning the UFC title, she was best known for her heated rivalry with Rousey that lasted from 2012-13.

Reneau, who suffered her fourth straight loss against Macy Chiasson this past weekend at UFC Fight Night, confirmed to Okamoto that she plans to retire after the fight with Tate. Reneau is the oldest fighter currently on the UFC roster at 43 years old.

"I can't think of a better situation, just because I like to say I grew up watching Miesha," Reneau said. "She was one of my first idols when I started fighting. I used to dream about fighting her, and now it's coming to pass in what happens to be my last hurrah."