Harvick-backed Miesha Tate wins UFC title – Nascar

Miesha Tate won the UFC women’s Bantamweight Championship on Saturday night as NASCAR and UFC collided in Las Vegas.

Tate, the challenger, bested undefeated champ Holly Holm by submission in the fifth and final round. Tate is represented by Kevin Harvick‘s company, KHI Management, giving her a strong NASCAR connection. She attended the end-of-season NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards banquet — yes, also in Las Vegas — in 2014. She also dropped the green flag as honorary starter at Martinsville Speedway in October that same year.

Holm won the title from Ronda Rousey in November; Saturday night was her first title defense.

Several drivers competing in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt 400 (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) took in the fight, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Clint Bowyer, Austin Dillon, Danica Patrick, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Larson.

There was plenty of reaction after the thrilling conclusion.

#AndNew @MieshaTate!!!!! #TeamKHI

— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) March 6, 2016

And new…………… #TeamKHI pic.twitter.com/ZJU2BcW8mS

— KHI Management (@KHIManagement) March 6, 2016

Holy sh!t!! Unreal!!! @MieshaTate @ufc

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) March 6, 2016

Damn I wish I was there… Been sick on my ass for 3 days but man I feel good right now!!!

— Kevin Harvick (@KevinHarvick) March 6, 2016

What a battle @MieshaTate new champ! #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/R8qNr9ZDjv

— Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) March 6, 2016

Fight night!!! pic.twitter.com/cp5tqMLM8s

— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) March 6, 2016