Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino made her UFC debut at UFC 198. It was a fight years in the making, highlighted by a dominant win in front of her hometown. It was her moment, and she wanted to make sure that Ronda Rousey wasn’t a part of it.
That’s what she suggested at the UFC 198 post-fight press conference (Warning, NSFW Language), when she was asked why she didn’t call out the sport’s leading lady after defeating Leslie Smith. “Today was my night. It was a historic moment for me,” said Cyborg (h/t Sherdog.com for the transcription). “I’ll let my fans determine who my next opponent will be.”
It’s an odd response from Cyborg, who has never shied away from calling out Rousey. The two longtime champions have been feuding since 2012, dating back to Rousey‘s days as Strikeforce bantamweight champion and nary a fight has gone by without the two exchanging words.
For a long time, it felt as if the fight would never materialize due to the UFC’s insistence that it take place at Rousey‘s preferred weight of 135 pounds. With Cyborg finally competing in the UFC, it felt as though that were finally moving in that direction but, alas, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
“I’ve been training for two years in order to make weight. I felt very well tonight,” she said. “But I am going to continue in my weight class,” Cyborg said at the press conference.
Whether that means she will return to Invicta to defend her featherweight title, or if she will remain with the UFC for another special attraction is anyone’s guess. Either way, it does not seem like the long-awaited Cyborg vs. Rousey Superfight will happen anytime soon.
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