Former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha “Cupcake” Tate steps back into the cage on September 21st at UFC Fight Night 52: “Hunt vs Nelson” in Saitama, Japan. Tate is expected to face undefeated Bantamweight Queen of Pancrase Rin Nakai, who makes her UFC debut.

The Tate-Nakai matchup was first reported during Wednesday’s edition of UFC Tonight. Tate recently put an end to a two-fight losing skid by rallying to defeat Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche at UFC on FOX 11. Nakai is coming off of back-to-back wins over Tara LaRosa and Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio.

Tate (14-5-0) has been a top contender at 135 pounds for close to four years and she reigned supreme atop the division after capturing the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship from Marloes “Rumina” Coenen in July 2011. However, Tate lost the title to current UFC champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey in her first defence and her tenure in the UFC thus far has included ups and downs. After losing again to Rousey in the pair’s spirited December rematch, Tate overcame a slow start and outpointed Carmouche to earn her long-awaited first UFC win in April.

Nakai (16-0-1) is one of the most popular female fighters in Japan today, but she too has encountered obstacles during her career and the eccentric fighter is no stranger to controversy. After fighting to a contentious Split Draw with Danielle “The Honey Badger” West in September 2011, Nakai became the first Bantamweight Queen of Pancrase 15 months later by defeating West in an equally contentious rematch. She has since put together an impressive streak of victories against American opponents, however, besting Brenda “Boom Boom” Gonzales, LaRosa and D’Alelio in succession.

UFC Fight Night 52: “Hunt vs Nelson” takes place on September 21st at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event is headlined by a heavyweight bout between Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt and Roy “Big Country” Nelson.

(Photo Credit: UFC)