For the second time in the past two years, Miesha Tate and Jessica Eye are set to meet in the cage.

But while the veteran MMA fighters share a familiar history, they will be playing by a new set of rules at Submission Underground 2 on Sunday, Dec. 11. As the co-main event of SUG 2, Tate and Eye are squaring off in a submission-only grappling bout under modified Eddie Bravo International rules in Portland, Oregon's Roseland Theater. 

When the pair last fought at UFC on FOX: Dillashaw vs. Barao 2 on July 25 of last year, their bout was also the co-headliner of the evening's action. Tate's 16-5 record and Eye's 10-2(1) slate entering the fight made it a No. 1-contender match for the women's bantamweight belt, which was won by Holly Holm against Ronda Rousey later that year.

The three-round battle between Tate and Eye proved to be a turning point for both fighters -- one went on to capture the UFC title in her next fight and the other saw the beginning of a four-fight slide. Here's a look back at their unforgettable matchup.

FIRST ROUND: An Early Scare

From the beginning, both women looked like they had something to prove. Tate came out with pressure, while Eye was happy to strike off her back foot.

A stiff jab opened the scoring for Eye but a big right, hand from Tate quickly got her back on terms. Another right hand landed on Eye's face, but the three shots which Tate took in return reddened up her nose very quickly.

Eye improved defensively after that and was making Tate miss while perfectly landing her check left hook. Tate smartly slowed the pace to stop any further damage and became more selective with her strikes from outside the pocket.


Jul 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Jessica Eye (blue gloves) fights against Miesha Tate (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

That lead to large parts of inactivity, but it also saw Eye land bigger, harder punches when Tate did get into range.

With two minutes left in the opening round, the first attempted takedown came as Eye easily stuffed Tate's approach. And although it wasn't a successful grappling attempt, it did get Eye thinking. As they rose back to a striking position, Tate landed a big left hook and then dropped Eye with a gargantuan right hand.

Eye did well to survive the blow, but when Tate landed in half guard, it looked like it could be the beginning of the end. Amazingly, Eye seemed to get her wits back almost immediately as she got the lockdown on Tate's right leg and clasped her hands together to stop her from striking. Tate did manage to land a few hard elbows as the round ended but never came close to getting the finish.

SECOND ROUND: Frenzied Exchanges

To start the second stanza, there was a clear upping of the pace from Eye, who began to throw leg kicks and jabs at a higher rate while also being very active on her feet. Unfortunately for Eye, that immediately backfired as Tate laced her with another huge right hand, which Eye somehow managed to walk through.

A couple of body kicks from Tate were then on the mark as she grew in confidence. A second Tate takedown try a minute into the round was again stopped by Eye, but this time Tate managed to get her opponent clinch to the cage. Eye landed a nice elbow and a knee with her back against the cage and quickly got back to open water.

Tate landed two hard rights as they re-established the striking game, but a third successful blow was the one that did all the damage as Eye was rocked off her feet. Eye then attempted to clinch up, but Tate knocked her down with another big right hand before landing in her guard.


Jul 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Jessica Eye (blue gloves) fights against Miesha Tate (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Tate was on the mark with a barrage of hammerfists from top position, but she got a little bit reckless which allowed Eye to attack an inverted triangle. Without the arm in though, Eye had very little chance of finishing it and Tate quickly withdrew her head and established side control.

From there she landed a couple of strikes and moved to the north-south position before oddly moving back into Eye's half guard. A flurry of body shots from Tate then came before she unsuccessfully attacked what looked a tight guillotine in the last few seconds of the round.

THIRD ROUND: Back-And-Forth Finale

Tate came out with an added aggression in the final frame as she threw a hard body kick followed by a snapping left hook on the inside. Eye was also successful with a couple of inside leg kicks which saw Tate go for another takedown that was again expertly defended by the Cleveland native.

That gave Eye a little bit of confidence as she put three more leg kicks on Tate as well as a nice combination of hands. Tate tried to fire back with a few of her overhand rights, but Eye managed to avoid them as the fight entered its closing minutes.

A well-placed punch to the stomach seemed to momentarily wind Tate, which allowed Eye to walk forward and land two nice kicks to the head. Tate barely seemed to even feel them though and hit Eye with a couple of teeps to free herself from the pressure.


Jul 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Jessica Eye (blue gloves) fights against Miesha Tate (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

With the fight still very much up for grabs, both women opened up late. Eye went back to her inside leg kick and hit Tate with a fast right hand, which led to Tate smartly going for a takedown. This time she did manage to get Eye to the ground.

Despite a great defensive effort, Tate was eventually able to get the back but not much more than that. She struggled to inflict much damage with strikes as Eye got wrist control, and when she was also unable to establish both hooks, the referee stood them up with mere seconds left on the clock.

Again Tate aggressively marched forward and landed, but Eye seemed to do more damage with her counters as a close round came to an end following another unsuccessful takedown attempt from Tate.

After the fight, Bruce Buffer announced Tate as the winner with all three judges scoring in her favor in each rounds. It was a gripping back-and-forth battle but, in the end, the decision went the right way.

By Sean Sheehan

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