Cyborg Shuts Down Cut To Bantamweight

Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino has been out of action since she won her title with a third round TKO of Marloes Coenen back at Invicta FC 6 in July 2013.

The dangerous striker has long been rumored to be making the cut down to bantamweight to face off with dominant UFC champion Ronda Rousey. To get used to the shift, Justino was supposed to make her 135-pound debut at December 5’s Invicta FC 10.

But ankle surgery forced her out of the card, and after reconsidering the situation, Cyborg has decided to give up on the potentially dangerous weight cut. She spoke up to Tatame to state that she just can’t risk it:

“I can’t. From now on, I will only fight at my weight or in a catchweight. I haven’t fought in a long time and that’s why I want to go back to my division.”

She was allegedly well on her way to making the weight before her injury, posting some provocative photos of her slimmed-down body, but the setback most likely made it not worth it from a medical standpoint.

And although UFC president Dana White reportedly invited Cyborg to last Saturday’s UFC on FOX 13 (which she attended), she told MMA Fighting that still doesn’t think that he or Rousey are making much of an effort to make what would be the biggest women’s MMA fight ever to take place:

“I realized I’m the only one making an effort for this fight to happen. I believe both should make an effort.”

Now a bout with Rousey is looking more and more like a distant possibility, as “Rowdy” has repeatedly stated that she’ll only face Cyborg at 135 pounds. She’s also said that Justino should be arrested for attempted murder for going into her bouts on performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

The endless trash talk and bad blood between the two women would undoubtedly make it one of, if not the, most watched MMA fights of all-time, yet both sides can’t seem to get within miles of an agreement.

Cyborg’s time as a truly elite fighter could be coming to an end soon, so if the UFC ever wants to cash in on this grudge match, they’d better get it done soon. With Justino’s cut down to bantamweight now a thing of the past, just don’t count on it.