Manager explains why Holly Holm turned down Cris Cyborg fight at UFC 198

Don’t be scared, Holmy. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, who coughed up her division strap to Miesha Tate in the UFC 196 co-main event, had a chance to get back inside the cage at UFC…

Don’t be scared, Holmy.

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, who coughed up her division strap to Miesha Tate in the UFC 196 co-main event, had a chance to get back inside the cage at UFC 198 on May 14 in Brazil.

Thanks, but no thanks.

“The Preacher’s Daughter” was not interested in fighting Invicta FC featherweight champion and Fight Valley co-star Cris Cyborg, who makes her long-awaited debut at the “Werdum vs. Miocic” pay-per-view (PPV) event inside Curitiba’s Arena da Baixada.

“We were not interested in that right now,” Manager Lenny Fresquez told Albuquerque Journal. “(Holm) just wants to fight Miesha.”

Too bad, that would have been bonkers.

While Holm sits on the bench and waits for Tate — which could take several months if this plan comes to fruition — Cyborg moves on to face veteran beggerweight Leslie Smith at a catchweight of 140 pounds. No doubt a win for the Brazilian will reignite this talk.

As a fight fan, what do you think of Holm’s decision?