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UFC Rumors: Cyborg interested in Ronda Rousey fight with no weight restrictions
Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino finally made her debut at UFC 198 and many were able to see what kind of damage she could do inside the Octagon. Cyborg faced off against Leslie Smith and the match lasted only 81 seconds. The Invicta FC champion won via TKO over Smith at the Arena da Baixada located right in her home town of Curitiba, Brazil. Justino used a right hand to knock down Smith followed by strikes on the fallen opponent.
While the result was hardly a surprise, it was also the sixth consecutive win by the 30-year-old Brazilian. It was another KO to her credit where her 14 of her last 16 matches were won via knockout. Eight of those KOs happened in the first round alone.
"There is nothing better; I am very happy and I got in there very calm," Justino said via ESPN. "I didn't push hard and I studied more. Many people who have followed me since the beginning were waiting for me to come to UFC. I admire Leslie for coming here, because she made my dream come true."
She also mentioned that she is open to return to Invicta to defend her plum though another UFC fight could happen if it would be at the 140 lbs. weight class. If that is the case, it may impair the dream match that everyone wants to see – Cyborg vs. Ronda Rousey.
Recall that calls for a Justino vs. Rousey fight was in the air last year though it would have to be made at 135 lbs. Initially, it seemed Cyborg was willing to do just that until Rousey’s shock loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
That loss totally changed the landscape with Justino and company believing that Rousey is in no position to demand for a catchweight stipulation. Rousey is expected to return later this 2016 and will reportedly challenge the UFC bantamweight champion currently held by Miesha Tate.
Tate is set to face Amanda Nunes at UFC 200 so it could possibly be a third instalment is possible if “Cupcake” is able to come out of the July pay-per-view as champion.
Is Tate interested in a match with Justino? Like Rousey, Tate is open to the challenge but only if it is made at the 135 lbs. catchweight. The UFC doesn’t have a 145-pound female featherweight champion and there is no indication that the company has plans to put up one, at least for now.
Impressive performance by @criscyborg tonight!! What a powerful woman! Congrats on making 139lbs! 4 more and we can have a title fight!
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) May 15, 2016
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