Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Miesha Tate shared the photo of her baby bump on Friday. The 31-year-old retired Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star had revealed her pregnancy in January.

Miesha is regarded as one of those elite personalities who gave the women's MMA a major impetus. The likes of Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg and Gina Carano also make the list.

Miesha is nicknamed 'Cup Cake' and thus, fans have been pouring congratulatory messages and giving their choicest of blessings to the new 'cup cake', who will be occupying a major place in the heart and home of Miesha as well as her boyfriend Johnny Nunez.

"Awww yay! Congratulations girl- your little baby bump is super adorable!! Sending positive vibes for a healthy pregnancy [sic]," wrote a Twitter user who received a 'thank you' message as well from the veteran women's MMA fighter.

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UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate addresses the media as the Grand Marshall for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 12, 2016 in Brooklyn, MichiganKena Krutsinger/Getty

"you're going to be a great mother! Congratulations on the new member to your family [sic]," wrote an Instagram user.

After Miesha announced her pregnancy earlier this, some UFC fans joked on MMA forums and asked curiously who the actual dad of the newborn was. The ex-Strikeforce champion was previously in a relationship with UFC bantamweight fighter Bryan Caraway.

Happy New Year everyone! 2016 & 2017 were crazy years full of transitions for me but I’m so happy where I’m at now moving into 2018. I have many things to be grateful for but one stands out in particular, you see there’s this man who has brought joy and happiness into my life in a way I’ve never known before, Johnny thank you for that. I’m proud to announce we are expecting a beautiful baby girl. Now you can sit and speculate... or you can just be happy for us. I’d like to ask that everyone respect the fact that (like we have been) we would like to continue to live our private lives primarily out of the media. I won’t comment on specifics so just know that I am very happy, very excited and my life has never felt so complete. Thank you all for the continued support on this crazy journey we call life! #FollowYourHeart #mommytobe #daughter #cupcakeintheoven #love #HappyNewYear ? ?????

A post shared by Miesha Tate (@mieshatate) on

However, she left almost everyone stunned after announcing her relationship Jonathan 'Johnny Boy' Nunez, a lightweight MMA fighter.

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UFC fans discuss Miesha's pregnancy announcementFacebook

Miesha Tate's MMA career highlights

Ronda Rousey has played an integral part in the MMA career of Miesha Tate. They clashed inside the octagon in March 2012 at Strikeforce in the first of their fights. The two leading MMA women clashed again at UFC 168 in December 2013.

Although Ronda won both the fights via submission, fans have wanted to see the trilogy fight but that might never happen as Miesha retired from the combat sport in November 2016 after her UFC 205 defeat against Raquel Pennington.

Ronda, meanwhile, is set to sign her WWE contract at Elimination Chamber 2018.

Miesha became the UFC women's bantamweight champion after defeating Holly Holm at UFC 196 in March 2016.

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