Despite what many have perceived — and rightfully so — as longtime beef between Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg, at the end of the day, Cyborg says she doesn’t have anything against the former Ultimate Fighting Championsip (UFC) women’s Bantamweight champion.
Other than the fact that she won’t fight her at a catchweight, of course.
Still, as Cris recently told MMA Fighting, she is thankful Ronda has done so much for women’s mixed martial arts (MMA), herself included. That’s why she hopes Rousey doesn’t quit mixed martial arts (MMA) anytime soon.
Her words as transcribed Bloody Elbow:
“She lost, but it’s not over. She lost, but she can come back, she can fight for the title again. I think she can’t give up. Giving up is bad for everyone. I don’t have anything against Ronda. She made the sport grow more. Even if she was talking a lot about me, but I believe she helped the sport a lot. Maybe the sport wouldn’t be where it is if it wasn’t for this American that did what she did for the sport. Everybody loses, it’s not the end of the world. I hope she sees that. Sometimes we lose to see new things, lessons as athlete or human being. I believe she can be champion again. I think so.”
Of course, “Rowdy” hasn’t hinted at retirement, however, she did cause quite a storm after she said she briefly thought of suicide following her loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
But, as Rousey confirmed, she is mentally fine and expects to return to the Octagon sometime in November or December. By then, Cyborg’s Octagon debut will have come and gone, as she is pegged to face Leslie Smith at UFC 198 on May 14, 2016.
And if the stars align, Ronda and Cyborg may finally mix it up inside the eight-walled cage.