LAS VEGAS — There is yet another obstacle in the way of the biggest women’s MMA fight in history.
Currently, there is a loose plan in place for Cris Cyborg to attempt to make 135 pounds, enter the UFC and fight Ronda Rousey for the women’s bantamweight title. Yet, the UFC’s new anti-doping program led by USADA presents a unique problem. Beginning in October, fighters will no longer be allowed to use IVs to rehydrate after weighing in.
Cyborg, whose real name is Cristiane Justino, said Tuesday at Invicta FC 13 media day that the IV ban could be a “problem” for her making 135 and that the rule is “bad.”
“I want to be healthy,” Justino said. “I know fighting and [being] famous, [the] belt, it’s for now. At the end of the day, you’re getting older, I don’t want to be sick. I want to have kids.”
Cyborg (13-1, 1 NC), who has not lost an MMA fight since her debut in 2005, will defend her Invicta women’s featherweight title against Faith Van Duin the main event of Invicta FC 13 on Thursday night at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The bout will air live on UFC Fight Pass.
Justino, 29, is heavily favored in the fight, but she said it will not be her last one in Invicta before going to the UFC. Cyborg has a deal in place with the UFC that she has to make 135 pounds in Invicta first before being brought over. Justino’s contract is with Zuffa, the UFC’s parent organization. She said there is a possibility she will fight at 135 for Invicta before the end of the year. However, she’s still holding out hope that the UFC and Rousey will accept a catchweight bout, which both parties have declined.
“I think it would be perfect at 140,” said Cyborg, who walks around north of 170 pounds. “I’ll try my best [to make 135]. I’ll try 100 percent, I’ll try for all my fans to make this fight happen and I know I can sleep [at night] and say I did my 100 percent to make this fight happen.”
Even if she does go to 135 to fight Rousey, Cyborg said she will still continue to fight at 145 in the future.
“You guys cannot kill my division,” she said. “I’m the 145-pound champ. I don’t want to leave my division. If I make 135 easy, my diet coach helps me, why not? I have more girls. I can fight more. I’d be happy.”
Cyborg, who is working with noted nutritionist George Lockhart, said if she could make bantamweight in a healthy way, she’d do it “tomorrow.” Fighting Rousey is important to her and not just because of the heated rivalry between the two.
“I think everybody want to watch this fight,” Justino said. “I think it’s very important for women’s MMA. I want to be part of this. The first very important fight was with Gina Carano, and I’m very happy about this. Would I be happy about this fight [with Rousey]? Of course, I want it. I want to finish my career by having a big deal. I fight Ronda Rousey, I fight two big events. I helped grow up women’s MMA.”
But the USADA ban on IVs has an added yet another complicated layer to what will already be a difficult process.
“I already have a lot of problems about cutting weight, dieting and a lot of things,” Cybor said. “It’s not healthy what we do. Drop to 135? And be healthy? OK, of course.”