Miesha Tate’s face was left swollen and bruised following her defeat to Lauren Murphy at UFC Fight Night in New York.

Tate was making her debut in the flyweight division, having previously competed as a bantamweight.

Despite an impressive body transformation, the 35-year-old was unable to triumph in her new division.

Murphy, third in the flyweight rankings, landed numerous early punches. She was too much to handle over three rounds, leaving Tate’s face bloodied and swollen.

As a result, Murphy triumphed by unanimous decision.

Fans are now doubtful about Tate’s decision to drop down to flyweight, which she explained to The MMA Hour in February.

“I have made the commitment to go down to 125 [pounds],” she said. “A few reasons [why] — I think I automatically assumed 135 was always my weight class because that’s all there ever was. When I got into Strikeforce, it was only 135 and 145.

“When I got into the UFC, it was only 135, and by the time 125 came around, I was just so enveloped at 135 trying to win the title and then obviously the rivalry with Ronda [Rousey], and then I did win it against Holly [Holm].

“But as the sport has evolved, I’ve just very rarely ever had a reach advantage. I’ve rarely had a height advantage.”

Tate defeated Holly Holm in March 2016 to become the UFC bantamweight champion, but then lost her title to Amanda Nunes just four months later.

“Cupcake” subsequently retired from MMA, but announced she would return to the ring in March. She then beat fellow American Marion Reneau in her first fight in five years in July 2021.

Her career revival then hit a bump, however, following her loss to Ketlen Vieira in November. Things have not gone much better since she left the bantamweight division behind.