Miesha Tate wants to fight at UFC 200 despite Rousey's absence

Miesha Tate apparently wants to be a fighting champion.

Tate captured the UFC's women's bantamweight championship by beating Holly Holm at UFC 196, but it's still unclear when - or who - she will fight next.

Former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is the No. 1 contender, but she is unlikely to return until October or November, which means Tate could be in for an extended absence if the UFC decides that facing Rousey is her next fight.

However, while it may not be possible, Tate is still holding out hope that she'll be able to participate in UFC 200 in July.

"I've been kind of tossing around the idea if it would be possible to fight at UFC 200," Tate told reporters Friday, according to Damon Martin of FOXSports. "That would be awesome, but I really have no idea what the UFC has in mind for that. I think they already have a couple title fights, so it may not be realistic.

"I'll stay ready if that's something that becomes an option or available, then great. If not, then we'll just see what's next."

A second clash with Holm is one of the possibilities for Tate, although UFC president Dana White has been reluctant to schedule immediate rematches in the past.

If Tate is forced to wait for Rousey, she'll be sitting out another significant period of time, after waiting seven months for her shot at Holm. Tate said she is prepared to wait again, but would like to step into the Octagon once more to defend her title before facing Rousey.

"I think it's a long time to wait, but I've had eight-month layoffs before," Tate said. "The last fight I had was already end of July. I've waited that long before. It's not a strange thing for me to do, but ideally I think I'd like to fight one more time before."

Tate said she will continue to work and stay prepared for whatever fight comes her way next, which is what she believes is the essence of being a champion.

"Honestly at this point I don't really care," Tate said. "I think I just need to be ready to handle whatever is thrown my way. I don't think it's my job as the champion to pick who's next. That's not really what the champion does. The champion fights whoever they say is next and whoever has earned that position."