Reneau vs Tate Analysis and Prediction

Marion Reneau (9-7-1) vs Miesha Tate (18-7)

Women’s Bantamweight (135)

Marion Reneau

Riding a four-fight slide is never the best of starts to describing a co-main eventer. To add fuel to the fire, Reneau’s best scalp has aged like the mouldiest of cheese. After an underdog triangle choke against Sara McMann, Reneau has failed to secure a win while McMann is 1-1 and going nowhere fast. Worse yet, age has started to rear its ugly head on Reneau’s forty-four-year-old body. Drained after the first round, Reneau’s heavy early volume style leaves her chasing losing fights on wobbly legs.

Reneau owns a terrible habit of raising her chin when she throws a leg kick. Although Tate’s mild boxing won’t hit hard enough to take full advantage, it remains an open avenue to land significant damage. On a positive note, Reneau competently holds herself in the clinch. While utterly bullied last time out by Macy Chiasson, Chiasson’s huge frame caused much of the trouble. Worryingly though, Reneau is slow to react when exiting the clinch. Chiasson regularly hurt Reneau with body kicks after breaking.

Miesha Tate

After five years of retirement, Tate seems set on rising back to take back her title. It is very difficult to say what kind of Tate will be returning. For sure there will be ring rust, and although physically Tate looks in top shape, has her mental changed after such a long time away from the sport? Comebacks are often cruel in MMA, and the fact that Tate looked wary of being hit nearing the end of her first career stint raises red flags.

Still, Tate’s youth and ability to grind out rounds will prove key against a slowing OAP in Reneau. During the 50/50 exchanges, Tate’s physical supremacy will appear visibly stark. Not to mention, Tate appears to be carrying a fair bit more muscle mass than previously. While Tate struggled with Pennington’s pace back in 2016, Tate needs to bring back the body jab that found decent success. Reneau’s body has been a weak spot over the past couple of years, and a probing jab will gas an ageing Reneau earlier than usual.

Predicted Result: Tate Decision

After five years of retirement, Tate seems set on rising back to take back her title. It is very difficult to say what kind of Tate will be returning. Comebacks are often cruel in MMA, and the fact that Tate looked wary of being hit nearing the end of her first career stint raises red flags. Still, Tate’s youth and ability to grind out rounds will prove key against a slowing OAP in Reneau. Reneau’s four-fight slide, and particularly her flailing gas tank (due to her age and volume-heavy style) are cause for concern. Whatever happens, this isn’t co-main event quality.

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