In what finally seems to be the end to a never-ending saga, it was announced today that Cris “Cyborg” Justino has signed with the UFC.
The on and off move had been speculated to be coming to fruition for the last couple of weeks, but it’s confirmation puts Cyborg’s UFC career beyond any doubt. As one of the best women’s fighters ever, Cyborg’s exclusion from the promotion had long been a point of contention amongst fans. Yet with UFC 198 taking place in Curitiba, Brazil, (of which Justino is a native) the company clearly felt it was finally time to bring her in.
Making her debut against Leslie Smith (who was last seen winning against Rin Nakai just eight days ago), Cyborg’s UFC debut will be held at a catchweight of 140 pounds. It’s in fact Cyborg’s weight that has long been seen as the main catalyst for the UFC’s reluctance to sign her, but clearly priorities have shifted.
Arguably the most dominant woman fighter in MMA history, Cyborg and former UFC champion Ronda Rousey have a bitter history, engaging in a long, drawn out, war of words.
When Rousey dominated her 135 pound division in the UFC, Justino demanded the Bantamweight champion rise in weight to face the larger Justino, to avoid a nasty weight cut. In return, Rousey demanded the featherweight drop down, citing Justino’s previous use of steroids as the cause of her larger frame.
That fight, for the longest time, was the MMA fans ‘White Whale’. Since then, Rousey lost her crown as UFC queen, putting the fight onto the back burner, and Cyborg stood outside the UFC beating cans and appearing to make no attempt at making a lower weight. With Cyborg’s entry into the UFC at 140lbs though, that fight could (finally) come to fruition.
Contrary to Rousey’s dismissal, other UFC stars have gone on record to share their openness to such a bout.
In a fan Q&A held in Brisbane just over a week ago, UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate said of the potential fight:
“I’ve been hearing [the rumors of her signing] for such a long time, I just don’t really know, I haven’t had that confirmed. But I am open to that fight,” Tate said. “Maybe doing it at a catchweight at 140. You know, I have nothing but respect for ‘Cyborg.’ She freaking eats girls for breakfast. She’s amazing. And it’s like, 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. Yeah, I would love to step in there with someone of her caliber.”
Cyborg hasn’t lost a mixed martial arts bout in over 10 years, and has held featherweight titles in both Strikeforce and Invicta FC. Since signing with Invicta FC, Justino has gone undefeated in five bouts, winning all by T/KO.
Whether Justino will hold onto her Invicta FC featherweight title, as of yet, is unknown.
With the fights announcement, UFC 198’s card ends up as stacked as any the company could put on this year. Starring huge names from Brazil, the event will no doubt draw in a huge following, with the arena estimated to hold around 45,000 fans or more.
The main event will play host to Fabricio Werdum, who will be defending his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. In the co-main event, it’s a potential number one contenders bout for the UFC middleweight championship when Vitor Belfort faces Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
Also on the card, is the return of Anderson Silva, who faces off against Uriah Hall, as well as a light heavyweight bout between UFC and PRIDE legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Corey Anderson.
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