Miesha Tate would welcome catchweight fight with Cris 'Cyborg'

While there were many complications surrounding a superfight between Ronda Rousey and Cristiane Cyborg Justino, Miesha Tate has always been open to the idea of a catchweight fight with the Brazilian.

"Cupcake", who seized the bantamweight title after choking Holly Holm unconscious at UFC 196 earlier this month, was asked again about the possibilty of fighting Cyborg at a recent Q&A in Brisbane, Australia (h/t Steven Marrocco of MMA Junkie).

"Yeah, man," Tate said of a potential fight with the Invicta FC featherweight champion. "I don't know. I've been hearing rumors or something that supposedly she's coming to the UFC. But I've been hearing it for such a long time, I just don't really know and I haven't had that confirmed.

"But I am open to that fight, maybe doing a catchweight at 140 (pounds). I have nothing but respect for ‘Cyborg.'"

The former Strikeforce women's 135-pound champion lost her first two fights in the UFC but rebounded with a 4-fight win streak to earn another shot at the title. Tate, who is expected to complete her trilogy fight with "Rowdy" later this year, lost to the Olympic bronze medalist in 2012 and was beaten again by submission at UFC 168.

Cris Cyborg has smashed her way through Invicta's 145-pound division, stopping four of her last five fights in the 1st round, and most recently brutalised Daria Ibragimova in January. Tate has nothing but respect for Justino and says she has nothing to lose in a catchweight fight.

"She eats girls for breakfast," Tate said. "She's just amazing. What do I have to lose in that fight? I go out there and give it everything I have, and if I'm able to take out Goliath, then I am. I would love to step in there with someone of her caliber."

Miesha Tate will be in attendance for tonight's UFC Fight Night 85 event, which will host a heavyweight clash between Frank Mir and Mark Hunt in the main event at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Australia.