If Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino can’t make 135 pounds to challenge Ronda Rousey, the UFC should seriously consider adding a 145-pound division to the women’s ranks, according to Joe Rogan.
The UFC commentator believes Justino’s presence in the UFC would be a great move long-term for women’s MMA. Seeing another dominant champion could serve as inspiration for others to pursue their dreams and “aspire to greatness.”
There is no question that Rousey is the hot ticket right now. Her face is plastered on billboards and magazines, as she doubles as an MMA fighter and Hollywood action movie star. All of these perks certainly haven’t come without hard work, though.
Rousey has finished her last three opponents combined in less than two minutes. She recently won an award at the 2015 ESPYs for “Best Fighter,” beating out undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Speaking to Rogan‘s point, Rousey was the star who broke barriers and pushed women’s MMA into the UFC. Her presence has likely inspired young athletes all over the world to be future contenders at 135 pounds. But what about the future contenders at 145 pounds?
Justino was the original mainstream champion of women’s MMA. Before Rousey ever put on a pair of four-ounce gloves, Justino won the Strikeforce featherweight title by effortlessly destroying undefeated star Gina Carano, the original face of women’s MMA.
The UFC has tried to put together a superfight between Rousey and Justino, but aside from sawing off a limb, it is unlikely the reigning Invicta featherweight champ will ever be able to make the weight cut.
Rousey, a former featherweight contender, has refused any catchweight bouts with Justino mostly due to a failed drug test from three years ago. But Rogan believes it’s more to it than that. Several months ago, during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast show (Warning: NSFW language), Rogan claimed every woman should be scared of Justino:
Do I understand why Ronda would want to fight her at 135? Of course, yeah, it’s the smart thing to do. You’re going to fight a f–king wrecking machine. She’s big, and she knocks b—–s out. She knocks chicks out in a way that very few fighters knock people out. She puts it on girls. She’s scary. Everyone should be scared of her. They all should be scared, especially if you’re lighter than her.
Justino has finished 12 of her 14 career wins by knockout, and she hasn’t been beaten in over a decade. She is expected to attend Rousey‘s title fight against Bethe Correia in Brazil on Saturday at UFC 190.
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also is the MMA writer for FanRag Sports and co-founder of The MMA Bros.
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