Former Strikeforce bantamweight champion Cris ‘Cyborg’ has thrown down the gauntlet to her rival, UFC champ Ronda Rousey on the eve of her next title defense.
Up until this point ‘Cyborg’ has been resistent to the idea of moving down to the bantamweight division citing health concerns, while Rousey has been adamant she won’t move up in weight to fight the Brazilian, which has left this potential female ‘superfight’ in limbo.
However, in a new statement given to AXS.TV yesterday, ‘Cyborg’ says she will commit to dropping down from 145lbs and wants to fight Rousey in the UFC this December.
Not only that, but she’s also said she’ll:
1. Fight her for free if she has to or accept a ‘winner takes all’ fight purse.
2. Undergo weekly drug tests
3. Accept an immediate rematch if she wins in order to prove prove that she is the best fighter in the world.
So, the ball has now been batted firmly into Rousey’s court and it’ll be interesting to see whether she has anything to say about this public challenge after tonight’s UFC 170 event in Las Vegas.
Of course, there’s also the small matter of Rousey having to successfully defend her title against former Olympic wrestling silver medalist Sara McMann first before she can even consider what would almost certainly be the biggest female MMA fight of all time.
Read ‘Cyborg’s full statement below.
“In reference to Ronda’s statement that I am looking for a payday so that I can retire, you’re right, I am looking for a payday to retire you like I did Gina Carano. But to show it’s not only about money, I challenge you to a fight – winner takes all. Or better yet let’s fight for FREE. ANYTIME! ANYWHERE! Ask your daddy Dana to make it happen.
My English is not that great, so sorry if I was misunderstood. I didn’t literally mean I would die if I made 135. What I meant was that my doctor recommended that I did not fight the rest of my career at 135, which is what the UFC wanted.You have fought 154 in the Olympics and 145 in MMA. You can meet me at 140 easier than for me to go down to 135. The only reason you want the fight at 135 is because you feel that is your only chance because you hope the weight cut will affect me. You guys say I’m irrelevant, yet watch my highlights. The true MMA fans not only know me, but know I’m the best. Sad that you give the true MMA fans no recognition by saying that they don’t matter.
I’m currently training to fight at 145 on March 28 and in early May. My team has hired a medical doctor to help me make 135. I plan to challenge and win the Invicta 135 Championship in the summer and challenge you, champion to champion, for your 135 belt in December.Now I know critics will say “I thought you said you would die if you made 135.” All I’m promising is that I will give 100 percent to try to get to 135 to make this plan happen. If I do, I will still listen to my doctor’s advice and fight no more than three times at 135: first to win the Invicta belt, the second time to kick your ass and the third time to kick your ass again so that the world can see it wasn’t luck. You can even have me tested every week up to the fight. That way you will not have an excuse after I kick your ass.”
