Fans have eagerly awaited news on the return of Cris “Cyborg” Justino, and the UFC delivered today.
According to UFC.com, Cyborg is set to make her return to Invicta at its 10th event, which will take place December 6. The venue, location and an opponent have not yet been announced.
Cyborg is arguably the second-biggest draw in women’s MMA behind only Ronda Rousey. She will be making her awaited drop to 135 pounds, likely in the pursuit of a title match with Rousey in the near future.
Cyborg has had just two bouts with Invicta thus far. In her debut, she smashed Fiona Muxlow and followed that up with a Invicta FC Featherweight Championship win over Marloes Coenen.
In terms of opponents for Cyborg, there doesn’t seem to be many options. Ediane Gomes was an option until her submission loss to Tonya Evinger, so Evinger herself may be an option. Other than that, there is a major lack of depth in Invicta due to the influx of top fighters currently in the UFC.
Obviously, a successful weight cut, clean drug test and impressive performance would likely earn her an immediate go-around with her rival Rousey.
In addition to the news on Cyborg’s return, a date, location and main event has been announced for Invicta 9.
Barb Honchak will defend her flyweight title against Japanese veteran Takayo Hashi in the main event. The card takes place November 1 in Davenport, Iowa.
This marks the first time Invicta has ventured outside of Kansas City. All eight cards were held there, but with the addition of UFC Fight Pass and the demand for more Invicta events by fans, the company has opted to take the show on the road.
Honchak is currently on an eight-fight win streak, including a 4-0 record in Invicta. She won the vacant title by besting Vanessa Porto at Invicta 5. She followed that up in her first title defense by defeating now-UFC fighter Leslie Smith in an exciting bout.
As for Hashi, she recently returned from an almost two-year hiatus this year and has gone 1-0-1 in 2014. After a unanimous draw in her return bout, she knocked out top Japanese fighter Shizuka Sugiyama in her sophomore outing of 2014.
That is the only announced bout of Invicta 9. Stay tuned with Bleacher Report as more fight announcements are made in the coming weeks.
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