miesha tate
Miesha Tate is a former women's bantamweight champion getty

Former women's bantamweight champion Miesha Tate has announced her retirement from the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sport following her shock loss to fellow countryman Raquel Pennington at the UFC 205 event at Madison Square Garden on 12 November.

Tate was shaky at the start with Pennington making her work for the takedown. However, the American took control in the final two minutes of the round but the 30-year-old could not build on her impressive end to the first round as Pennington struck back in the second, opening Tate's face with punches, causing her to bleed.

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Despite performing well in the third round, Tate did not have enough offense and creativity to win the rounds with Pennington eventually securing victory via a unanimous 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 decision.

We at IBTimes UK look at some of the shock reactions on Twitter on Tate's retirement announcement.

Sad so see @MieshaTate walk away from the sport of MMA, a legend, champion, and most importantly a pioneer for women's MMA. #legend #UFCHOF

— kj hendrix (@kj231usc) November 13, 2016

@MieshaTate Commiserations for the result & am sad to hear your retiring. You will ALWAYS be the champ to us fans. Best wishes in the future pic.twitter.com/1L9i0gSidy

— Dan Vallecillo † 🇨🇴🇪🇸🇺🇸 (@Dan_vallecillo) November 13, 2016

UFC 205: Miesha Tate Announces Retirement After Loss to Raquel Pennington https://t.co/3jg750g9Xb

— shilla Fargo (@ShilFargo) November 13, 2016

You are an ambassador of the sport and an inspiration to me. You will be missed @MieshaTate

— Paige VanZant (@paigevanzant) November 13, 2016

Much resect to @MieshaTate everything she has done will not be forgotten #UFC205

— Syn (@AVNGDmusic) November 13, 2016

Thank You @MieshaTate ! You are a true Champion.

— SixToedPete (@SixToedPete) November 13, 2016

same. 😭😭😭 I've been watching @MieshaTate fight for as long as I can remember. She's my favorite. I'm so sad but proud of her

— Sonia Hawks (@sonia_hawkss) November 13, 2016

@MieshaTate Awww you shall be missed tate. Still by far the best fighter by heart. Enjoy the future.

— Criss (@Th3_Spanish) November 13, 2016

@MieshaTate thank you for over a decade of amazing fights. One of a kind athlete. Enjoy retirement champ. #UFCNYC #restforawarrior

— Frank Messick (@FAMDaddy924) November 13, 2016
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