CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Amanda Nunes is preparing to become the first female to simultaneously hold multiple UFC titles. She said it’s now on Cris Cyborg to close the deal.

Following Cyborg’s (18-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) featherweight title defense against Holly Holm at UFC 219 in December, talk of a champion-vs.-champion showdown with bantamweight champ Nunes (15-4 MMA, 8-1 UFC) started to emerge. UFC President Dana White has expressed interest, but Cyborg has postured over certain aspects of the fight.

Nunes said she’s ready to go as soon as possible, and that’s why she specifically requested the bout. However, she said negotiations are not moving along as quickly as anticipated.

“I wanted that fight; (Cyborg) didn’t even think about that when I decided to do it,” Nunes told MMAjunkie. “I texted Dana White, and I said I wanted that fight. I’m ready to go up. I wanted something big for my career, and I decided the next step would be Cyborg. But the negotiations have been so slow. I don’t know what is wrong, but I didn’t even see my contract yet. Nothing is official.”

UFC officials reportedly are interested in hosting Nunes vs. Cyborg at a June pay-per-view event in Rio de Janeiro. Cyborg said she thinks the fight would better be suited for one of the UFC’s marquee yearly events, such as UFC 226 in July, which now features a champion-vs.-champion main event between heavyweight kingpin Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier.

Nunes said the date and location of the fight is of no concern to her because “the UFC knows (what) they want to do.”

In anticipation of the bout, “The Lioness” said she’s raised her out-of-competition weight almost 15 pounds heavier than usual, which she said is a welcomed lifestyle change. The 29-year-old started her career at featherweight, and though she hasn’t competed there since January 2011, she feels comfortable at the weight.

“(I didn’t want a) catchweight at all; I’m going up to 145,” Nunes said. “I don’t want to make this so long – already it’s long. … I’ve fought there before. My first fight in Strikeforce at 145 was against Julia Budd. Things worked very well for me. I’m a little bit over losing weight as well. I have to get on the diet and go down. I want to take a little break from that and go up. I think this is the best choice for me right now. And they don’t have nobody in my division.”

Finding competition for Cyborg hasn’t always been an easy task, but Nunes is chomping at the bit to fight her countrywoman. She said it’s nothing personal but that she can be the one to halt Cyborg’s 20-fight unbeaten streak.

“I know she’s powerful, I know she’s a great fighter, but when it comes to a fighter, I am as well,” Nunes said. “I’m not scared to step in front of her at all. … Why am I going to be afraid of her? I respect her as a fighter, but I know I have a huge chance to take this belt, for sure.”

Should Nunes get her wish and fight Cyborg sooner than later, she could join Conor McGregor as the only fighters to hold UFC titles in two divisions at the same time. The possibility of making history thrills Nunes, she said, and though it might throw the 135-pound division into disarray, she’s willing to make the sacrifices.

“I did so much for the 135 division, and it’s going to be heartbreaking to let that belt go and not keep defending, but we’ll see (if I would have to vacate),” Nunes said. “I’m going to sit down with Dana White and see what he can do. I would love to defend both if I have to. But I know it’s hard, but I might have to pick one for sure.

“In general it’s going to be huge for women’s MMA. That’s why I’m very excited. It’s never happened, a girl trying to get two belts. I’m going to be the first one. And if it happens, I’m going to be the only one. And I want to be that. This makes me excited.”

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